Shells c. 1850 - 1855

Curator: William Henry Hunt, active in the early to mid-19th century, created this watercolor work entitled "Shells." It's part of the Harvard Art Museums collection, and is quite small, only about 12 by 17 centimeters. Editor: My first impression is one of quiet observation—a still life of objects that speak to the rhythms of the natural world, inviting contemplation. Curator: Shells, across cultures, often symbolize protection and the feminine. Hunt's careful depiction elevates the everyday, perhaps echoing a deeper connection to nature's cycles. Editor: But who had access to this contemplation? These objects and practices of natural observation were often tied to colonial activities of collection and classification. How might these shells, so serenely rendered, be connected to broader structures of power? Curator: That's a poignant point. Perhaps Hunt's work reveals not only the beauty of nature but also the complex historical context in which it was viewed and collected. Editor: Absolutely, and acknowledging that complexity allows us to see the artwork not just as an aesthetic object, but as a point of entry into understanding historical power dynamics.