Bear Baiting c. 19th century

Editor: This is Carl Straub's "Bear Baiting." It seems to be a work without a specified date. The scene is intense. What's your take on this piece? Curator: "Bear Baiting" reflects a specific power dynamic. Historically, these spectacles normalized violence against animals, highlighting a blatant disregard for their suffering. How does this artwork speak to our current understanding of animal rights and the ethical treatment of creatures? Editor: That’s a great point, it definitely makes me reconsider my initial view of the piece. I hadn't thought about it in terms of power dynamics. Curator: Exactly! The image serves as a historical record, prompting us to question the values and practices of the past and to contemplate how far we've come, or haven't, in matters of compassion and justice.