Standing Peacock and Small Perched Bird; verso: blank c. 18th century

Curator: Oudry’s "Standing Peacock and Small Perched Bird" presents an interesting juxtaposition of power and fragility in watercolor. The irregular edges speak to its creation as a working drawing, perhaps even utilitarian. Editor: Utilitarian, perhaps, but those pastel washes are captivating! There's an almost dreamlike quality to the birds, like figures in a fable. I find myself contemplating the symbolism of the peacock, particularly within the context of 18th-century aristocratic display. Curator: Indeed. The rendering is so precise, a clear attention to detail in the build-up of the colors. We should recall Oudry's involvement in the tapestry industry. The labor involved in such production surely informed his approach to image-making. Editor: The smaller bird almost seems to cower, or perhaps it’s simply a foil to the peacock's grandeur. Considering the social hierarchy of the time, it’s tempting to view these birds as stand-ins for different social classes and all the implications of that. Curator: That's compelling. It's also worth noting the reverse is blank, which further emphasizes its status as a study, a moment captured in process. Editor: Ultimately, this artwork is an interesting prompt to explore not only aesthetics but the social and economic structures of its time.