Renard à l'affût 

Karl Bodmer, a Swiss-French artist, made this print called ‘Renard à l'affût’ or ‘Fox on the Lookout’ using etching and aquatint. It captures a dramatic moment in the natural world. In this image made in the 19th century, a fox is seen hunting, lying in wait by the water's edge. We can see a bird mid-flight just above as another is about to land in the lower left of the frame. This image encapsulates the prevailing romanticism of the time, a movement that prioritized emotion, nature, and the power of the individual. Bodmer was particularly interested in the American West and his images often highlighted the relationship between humans and the environment. What can we say about the institutions that would have formed Bodmer's view of the world? The artist moved around in aristocratic and wealthy circles, and his art provided a picture of nature that was both exciting and a demonstration of human dominion. By studying his prints alongside historical texts, we can better understand the social and institutional contexts that influenced his artistic vision.