Dierstudie van een pauw 1900 - 1930

Curator: This captivating study comes to us from Richard Tepe. He made this print, entitled "Dierstudie van een pauw", sometime between 1900 and 1930. It’s now held in the Rijksmuseum. Editor: It’s ethereal. The monochrome palette makes this bird seem almost ghostly, a pure white vision against that dark, somewhat confining background. Curator: Confinement is a key aspect. The animal seems to be photographed within some kind of enclosure; notice the wire mesh in the background. This period saw an increasing interest in animal photography, often connected to zoos or private collections, serving both scientific documentation and public spectacle. Editor: Symbolically, the peacock, especially an all-white one, has diverse and ancient meanings. It can represent purity, vanity, and even immortality across different cultures and belief systems. Its display is about showing value; a cultural object with an emphasis on its visibility, literally displaying cultural value. Curator: Right, and consider the medium itself. Photography at the turn of the century was still somewhat novel, adding another layer of interpretation. The artistic approach to photography was still developing. Was Tepe simply documenting, or trying to capture something more symbolic about the bird's beauty or perceived status? Editor: I’m most captivated by its placement in front of that walled enclosure. A reminder that while beautiful, it exists separate and apart, maybe unable to roam free as other birds might, its display then forced and inherently artificial. Curator: Precisely. So the photograph reveals, not only the aesthetic appreciation of an exotic animal, but it poses quiet questions about captivity, display, and the human gaze. Editor: An elegant testament to the complexities beneath the surface, even within a seemingly simple still life. Curator: Absolutely. It invites us to look deeper at our own role in observing, and ultimately defining, nature's marvels.