Standing Bird; verso: blank c. 18th century

Editor: We are looking at "Standing Bird" by Jean-Baptiste Oudry. I'm struck by the materiality of the watercolor on paper. What can you tell me about the materials and the process in relation to its cultural context? Curator: Oudry's choice of watercolor, a relatively accessible medium, reflects a shift toward valuing preparatory studies. Was this bird intended for a larger tapestry, perhaps destined to adorn a wealthy patron's home? Consider the labor involved in translating this delicate sketch into a large-scale, woven image. Editor: So, you are saying its value lies in its potential to inform a larger work, and its humble materials belie a connection to luxury goods? Curator: Precisely. The bird stands not just as an aesthetic object, but as a testament to the complex interplay of skill, materials, and social class in 18th-century art production. Editor: Fascinating, it makes you think about all the labor behind a single piece.