The Turkey Pasture c. 19th century

William B. Closson created this image, ‘The Turkey Pasture’, using the technique of wood engraving. Closson’s print is not just a representation of a rural scene, but also reflects the relationship between artistic production and the broader economy. The meticulous carving of the woodblock, to create a detailed image of turkeys and figures in a landscape, speaks to the labor-intensive processes that characterized printmaking at the time. Wood engraving requires highly skilled artisans to translate an image onto a block of wood. The choice of subject matter is telling too. Turkeys, as a source of food and commerce, connect the artwork to the cycles of agricultural production and consumption. The scene suggests a working landscape, where labor and nature are intertwined. It prompts us to think about the human effort required to produce the food on our tables. Ultimately, ‘The Turkey Pasture’ invites us to consider the social and economic dimensions of artmaking. It shows how traditional craft practices can intersect with representations of everyday life, challenging us to see beyond the surface of the image.