Man Plucking a Bird c. 18th century

Curator: This image by Jacob Traunfellner, titled "Man Plucking a Bird," is part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. What do you notice first? Editor: The stark contrast. It feels intimate, the way the light focuses on the man’s face and hands, drawing attention to this mundane act. Curator: Right. The image gives importance to everyday life. Printmaking like this served to disseminate images widely, making them accessible to the public. Editor: But what does it say about our relationship with labor, with food? There's a disconnect; we rarely see this process so explicitly anymore. Curator: True, but consider the broader context: this piece circulated in a society with different sensitivities and understandings of labor. Editor: It definitely invites questions about how we've distanced ourselves from certain realities. It’s a striking reminder. Curator: Indeed, viewing it today offers a unique perspective on cultural shifts around food and labor practices. Editor: Absolutely, and reflecting on those shifts is a worthwhile consideration.