The Tiger of Jungles c. 19th century

Curator: Here we have Charles-Michel Geoffroy's "The Tiger of Jungles," currently housed in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Whoa, that tiger is giving me the chills! It looks like it's about to pounce—the tension is palpable. Curator: Indeed. Note how Geoffroy uses the surrounding foliage to frame the tiger, heightening the sense of enclosure and impending threat. This work is a window into how the exotic was perceived and presented to European audiences. Editor: It's fascinating how the artist captured the raw power of the tiger, but also this undercurrent of fear. Makes you wonder what narratives it evokes about civilization and the untamed wild. Curator: Precisely. It also subtly reflects how the European powers perceived and portrayed colonized lands. Editor: Hmm, I guess there's more here than meets the eye. I see your point, the image is powerful, and there's a story.