Plate 124 Green Black-capt Flycatcher 

Here we see "Plate 124 Green Black-capt Flycatcher," rendered by John James Audubon, known for his detailed illustrations of North American birds. Audubon was working during a period of increasing scientific exploration and documentation of the natural world, but his work also has a darker underbelly. In his quest to depict these birds, many were killed, pinned, and posed. Think about that process of colonization and extraction, in which nature is both observed and violently consumed. This piece invites reflection on the complex relationship between humans and the natural world. Audubon’s work straddles the line between scientific observation, artistic representation, and the troubling dynamics of ownership and exploitation, all of which reflects the cultural values of his time.