Bird, after Egyptian wall painting; verso: Lotus Blossom c. 1876 - 1878

Curator: This delicate watercolor, "Bird, after Egyptian wall painting; verso: Lotus Blossom" by Charles Herbert, captures a single wading bird in profile. What is your first impression? Editor: It feels very still and observant. There is such elegance in its simplicity, like an ancient hieroglyph brought to life. Curator: Herbert was working in the 19th century, and the Egyptomania of the era influenced his artistic choices here. Editor: Absolutely. We see these symbols constantly re-appropriated. It raises questions about the colonial gaze, particularly when considering the West's fascination with appropriating imagery from ancient cultures. Curator: The appropriation is definitely apparent. And yet, there's a certain humility here, a directness in the representation that avoids excessive romanticization. Editor: I agree, it seems more a study than a grand statement. It also sparks a deeper reflection on the bird's symbolism across different cultures. Curator: That is an important consideration to remember. It shows us how the bird operates as a messenger, as a free spirit, or even as a symbol of transformation. Thanks! Editor: An evocative encounter, to be sure!