Poultry 

Editor: Here we have George Fennel Robson’s drawing, "Poultry." It’s a quick sketch, seemingly simple, but the arrangement of these birds feels surprisingly dynamic. What can you tell us about the context of this work? Curator: Well, considering Robson’s time, early 19th century, and the rise of landscape painting, sketches like this were often studies. Think of the social implications of the picturesque movement – a controlled view of nature. Are these fowl meant to evoke a specific social order, a rural idyll perhaps? Editor: That’s interesting. So, it’s not just a drawing of chickens, but a commentary on society’s relationship with nature? Curator: Precisely! The politics of imagery, even in seemingly simple forms, can reveal a great deal about cultural values and artistic intentions. It certainly gives one pause. Editor: I’ll never look at a chicken the same way again!