Oies, Cygnes, herons 

Karl Bodmer created "Oies, Cygnes, herons" as a study of the natural world, delineated with ink on paper. The composition is divided into four distinct quadrants, each presenting a different waterfowl in its natural habitat. Bodmer's use of line is particularly striking. Notice how he employs hatching and cross-hatching to create depth and texture, giving volume to the birds' plumage and suggesting the varied surfaces of water, grass, and earth. Each quadrant uses the same restricted tonal range to isolate and highlight the formal qualities of the waterfowl. The swan's serene posture contrasts with the heron's stooping stance, a visual signifier of distinct behaviors and ecological niches. Bodmer's approach is not merely representational, but also analytical. He is presenting an almost scientific study, inviting viewers to engage with the structural elements that define each creature. The artwork challenges us to consider how meaning is constructed through formal arrangement and the meticulous rendering of natural forms.