Arctic Dog, Facing Left 

James Ward sketched 'Arctic Dog, Facing Left' with graphite on paper around the turn of the 19th century, a period of great fascination with the natural world. Ward's choice of graphite lends itself to capturing the soft, furry texture of the dog's coat, which is built up with layered strokes to create depth. It also allows for the creation of soft gray tones, suggestive of the animal's natural habitat. The swift, economical lines suggest the artist worked quickly to capture a fleeting moment of observation, and a sense of movement, even though the dog is still. Ward was one of many artists who were part of this changing economy, in which images of animals were increasingly in demand, both for scientific study, and for a public eager to learn more about the world around them. This drawing reflects a shift in artistic production, and the growing commodification of images in a rapidly changing society.