Great Black-backed Gull, after Audubon 1853

Curator: This is William Stanley Haseltine’s "Great Black-backed Gull, after Audubon." Editor: The raw energy just jumps out! It's a predatory scene, but also, somehow, about the sheer will to survive. Curator: Haseltine painted this work referencing John James Audubon, the famed naturalist. The gull, wings outstretched, displays both its beauty and predatory power. Considering Audubon’s complex legacy, what does Haseltine borrow, and where does he depart? Editor: The gull itself is a powerful symbol. In maritime cultures, gulls are often seen as the souls of sailors, or messengers from the sea, a reminder of the human connection to the ocean. Curator: Fascinating! Viewing it through a contemporary lens, I’m also thinking about the ethics of representation in relation to nature. Editor: Absolutely! The artist captures a timeless image, forcing us to face nature's sometimes harsh reality. Curator: Indeed, it gives us much to consider, both historically and in the present.