Bird 19th-20th century

Editor: This lovely little etching, simply titled 'Bird' by Gurdon Saltonstall Howe, depicts a small bird perched atop what looks like a sphere. It feels quite delicate. What symbolic meaning might be embedded in such a simple image? Curator: Birds, across many cultures, represent the soul, freedom, or a messenger between worlds. Howe has placed the bird on a sphere, a symbol of totality, the universe itself. Is he suggesting the bird, and perhaps by extension us, has dominion over our world? Editor: That's fascinating! I hadn't considered the sphere in that way. Curator: Consider the radiating lines behind the bird. Do they suggest an aura, or perhaps a cage? The symbolism shifts depending on our interpretation, doesn't it? Editor: Absolutely. I see how the meaning is in constant flux, shaped by cultural memory. Thanks!