Pickerel 1878

Editor: This is G. W. W. Edson's *Pickerel*, and its date is unknown. It's a watercolor, and the fish look so still, almost artificial. How do you read this piece? Curator: It's fascinating how Edson presents these pickerel. Beyond a simple still life, consider how representing nature as a commodity reflects capitalist extraction. Does this image speak to a masculine vision of dominance over the natural world? Editor: I never thought of it that way. I was just looking at the fish. Curator: Consider the history of angling and hunting, traditionally coded male activities, and how these practices impact environmental justice. Editor: So, this isn’t just about fishing. Curator: Exactly. It’s about the power dynamics inherent in how we represent and interact with the environment. Food for thought. Editor: Definitely. Now I see it as a statement, not just a sketch.