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Curator: This engraving, by Francis Barlow, presents a seemingly pastoral scene. Note the chickens, chicks, and the suggestion of a farm. Editor: My immediate response is one of tension. The high contrast and somewhat cramped composition create a feeling of unease, despite the bucolic subject. Curator: Indeed, the pig lurking in the doorway certainly adds an element of threat to the otherwise idyllic setting. This juxtaposition is central to Barlow's work. He’s presenting a moral fable, the pig representing danger. Editor: The formal relationships are fascinating. The artist uses stark light and shadow to emphasize the textures of the animals' feathers, while the composition pushes our eye from left to right, from the dark doorway to the brighter, more open landscape. Curator: It's a world of hidden dangers, symbolized, perhaps, by the contrast between innocence and lurking menace. Editor: It's amazing how such a seemingly simple composition can evoke such complex feelings.