Pelican c. 1896

Emmanuel Frémiet created this sculpture, "Pelican", out of enameled earthenware. Frémiet's artistic career began in a France preoccupied with the natural sciences and classification of species. Here, the fantastic, mythical qualities of Frémiet's pelican transcend simple naturalism. The pelican is perched upright, with dragon-like wings and striking orange eyes. The intense gaze challenges us to contemplate our relationship with the natural world. The choice of earthenware and the glazing evoke the opulence of the late 19th century, a time of burgeoning industrialization and colonial expansion. However, the work also hints at our human desire to reshape and control nature. "Pelican" makes visible the tension between wonder and exploitation. While the sculpture highlights the beauty of this magnificent bird, it also hints at the violence of a society bent on transforming the natural world to its will.