Side View of a Bull’s Head 

Curator: Here we have Joseph Highmore’s "Side View of a Bull’s Head," currently held in the Tate Collections. It's a striking study. Editor: Its moody chiaroscuro gives the bull an almost mournful presence, doesn't it? I immediately think of labor, agriculture, and exploitation. Curator: Note how Highmore uses delicate hatching to define the form, the subtle gradations creating volume on a relatively small support. Editor: But what does the bull signify in Highmore's era? Is it a symbol of virility, subjugation, or perhaps even colonial expansion? It is important to consider the ethics and the symbolic violence of animal depictions in art. Curator: While those readings may be valid, the technique itself is masterful. Editor: Indeed, it does offer a lot to consider regarding power dynamics and historical context. Curator: I appreciate the attention to detail and the animal’s form. Editor: I will definitely be thinking about the bull and its cultural associations.