Study of Grouse c. 19th century

Editor: This is Charles Samuel Keene's "Study of Grouse," from the Harvard Art Museums. It's a small sketch, just a few inches, and seeing these lifeless birds kind of makes me think about fleeting moments. What stands out to you? Curator: Fleeting indeed. Keene captures the weight of each bird with such assuredness, doesn't he? Think about the Victorian table, laden with game – a celebration, yes, but also a memento mori. It's a meditation on mortality, served on a platter. What do you think about the composition? Editor: It’s interesting how they're scattered, almost carelessly, yet each pose has its own story, or at least, hints at one. I never thought a dead bird could have so much character. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure! And perhaps that's the magic: finding character where we least expect it, reminding us that life, like art, is full of unexpected stories.