The Trumpeter Swan 1900

Alexander Pope painted *The Trumpeter Swan* using oil on canvas. The stark image of a dead swan hanging against a dark door draws attention to its material reality. Note the contrast between the swan’s luminous plumage and the dark backdrop, achieved with layers of oil paint to mimic the softness of feathers. Pope masterfully captures the weight and texture of the lifeless bird. Swans were hunted for their meat and feathers, and their image became associated with luxury and conspicuous consumption. Consider the labor involved in hunting, preparing, and painting the swan, with a sense of the social context of a time when such displays were common among the wealthy. Paying attention to the materials and the making process encourages us to question the traditional boundaries between fine art and craft, and to see how art reflects wider social and economic forces.