Bird's Nest c. 1855 - 1860

Curator: This is William Henry Hunt's watercolour, "Bird's Nest," part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: Ah, it’s charming, isn’t it? Makes me think of secrets whispered in the woods, this careful little home cradled among the blossoms. Curator: Hunt was known for these detailed still lifes. It is interesting to consider how the artist highlights the construction of the nest itself, the deliberate weaving together of found materials. Editor: It's more than just twigs, isn't it? There's a softness there, a vulnerability. It's like a tiny universe, perfectly formed. Almost makes you want to hold your breath, doesn't it? Curator: Indeed. The labor and the materials reflect a very specific connection to nature, a consumption and transformation of the landscape into art, and shelter. Editor: You know, seeing the world in miniature like this reminds me that beauty really is in the small things. I might just have to go birdwatching this weekend. Curator: A fitting tribute to Hunt's focus.