Plate 39. Crested Titmouse 

Editor: We’re looking at "Plate 39. Crested Titmouse" by John James Audubon, it's a watercolor. The birds seem to be paused in their natural environment; everything's still, and quiet. What do you see when you look at this piece? Curator: Well, I see more than just a painting of birds, don't I? It's like a snapshot of life itself. Audubon wasn't just rendering the appearance of these crested titmice, he was trying to capture their essence. Imagine him out there in the wild, painstakingly sketching these tiny creatures and their habitat. It's so earnest, so romantic in a way, isn't it? What I also find interesting is how scientifically rigorous the depiction is while still capturing a real sense of place. Editor: Romantic, yes, definitely! The detail is amazing, like you could reach out and touch the pine needles. Do you think there's a symbolic aspect to this pairing? Curator: Perhaps! Maybe he was showing two different behaviors of the crested titmouse; the active feeder and the one at rest? Or maybe it's just a snapshot, the beautiful random arrangement of the natural world! Editor: I like that interpretation—a snapshot. Thinking about how Audubon dedicated his life to painting all the birds of America is inspiring. It’s almost like a heroic feat. Curator: It is heroic, isn’t it? He poured himself into every feathery detail, just hoping someone would look and feel something, decades, even centuries later. It reminds you how special the act of observation really is. It really is like life's little haiku.