Heads of Deer c. 18th century

Curator: This is Samuel Howitt's, "Heads of Deer," a study of six deer heads rendered with fine detail. What do you make of it? Editor: There's a certain vulnerability to them, even the stag. Like they've been caught mid-thought, or perhaps mid-meal in one case. Curator: Observe Howitt’s use of hatching and cross-hatching; notice how it defines the forms, creating subtle gradations of light and shadow. The composition directs the eye in a circular pattern around the page. Editor: Right, and beyond technique, I'm drawn to the sensitivity, the artist's keen observation translating into something quite tender. Curator: Indeed, it's a compelling intersection of technical skill and quiet observation. Editor: Absolutely, a reminder that beauty often lies in the details and the artist's ability to reveal them.