Aquarium 1887

Editor: This is "Aquarium," an etching and print by August Le Gras, from 1887. There's almost a haunting quality to the way these fish are depicted underwater. The details are incredibly precise for an etching. What do you see in this piece beyond just fish in an aquarium? Curator: I see more than just fish; I see a reflection of the late 19th century’s burgeoning interest in the natural world, shaped by the rise of scientific inquiry. Consider the public aquariums that became fashionable during this era. Editor: Right, sort of like a spectacle? Curator: Precisely! These aquariums presented controlled views of nature, mirroring the broader colonial project of observing and classifying the world. Le Gras’s choice to render this scene with the exacting detail of etching might also be commenting on the scientific illustration prevalent at the time. He's documenting, but also presenting this constructed, artificial world. Do you notice how some of the fish seem almost staged, like specimens under observation? Editor: Yes, now that you mention it, they're not really interacting, are they? It feels less like a thriving ecosystem and more like a carefully curated display. What would you say is the political context of displaying and creating these aquariums at the time? Curator: They provided a safe, controlled encounter with the exotic "Other." They promoted scientific narratives tied to colonialism and progress, reinforcing ideas of human dominance over nature and certain cultures. Art like "Aquarium," therefore, participates in and subtly critiques these displays of power. Editor: That's fascinating. I never would have considered the political undertones of something as seemingly benign as an aquarium. Curator: That’s the beauty of looking at art through a historical lens. It reveals the complex power dynamics woven into everyday imagery. Editor: This conversation has completely shifted how I view this etching. Thanks for illuminating that context.