Enoch's Acres 1951

Richard Evett Bishop made this print, ‘Enoch’s Acres,’ to wish friends a ‘Merry Christmas’ in 1951. In the mid-20th century, wildlife art enjoyed popularity in American culture. Here, Bishop uses a traditional medium, etching, to explore themes of nature and freedom. Note the V formation of the birds which may evoke for some viewers, a sense of order, purpose and migration, themes of particular cultural resonance in the post-war period. This etching also brings up questions around whose nature gets represented, and whose stories are told. The print presents a harmonious vision of nature, perhaps obscuring more complex relationships such as hunting, conservation, and land ownership. This artwork offers us a moment to reflect on our relationship with the natural world, and to consider the stories we tell ourselves about freedom, home, and belonging.