Peacocks on a Branch 1855 - 1865

Karl Bodmer created this print of peacocks on a branch using etching, engraving, and drypoint. Bodmer was a European artist, born in Switzerland, who depicted the American wilderness and its inhabitants. This print reflects a 19th-century fascination with exotic wildlife and the natural world. It can also be seen as participating in the colonial project. The print romanticizes and domesticates nature for a European audience. The peacock, often associated with wealth and luxury, is here removed from its indigenous habitat. Bodmer's meticulous rendering flattens the landscape, making it both knowable and possessable. It is through these visual codes and cultural references that images convey meaning. To fully understand this print, we can examine the art market of the period, studying travelogues and scientific illustrations. This research helps us understand the complex interplay between art, science, and colonialism in the 19th century.