Ocelot Carrying Off a Heron c. 19th century

Editor: This bronze sculpture, "Ocelot Carrying Off a Heron," is attributed to an unknown artist. It's quite dynamic. What aspects of the materials and production do you find most interesting? Curator: I'm drawn to the bronze itself. The material signifies wealth, but also durability. Consider the labor involved in its creation: mining, smelting, casting. How does the transformation of raw material into this object impact our understanding of it? Editor: So, the process itself adds meaning? Curator: Absolutely. Think about the social context of the artist’s time. Who commissioned this piece, and what did its creation and display signify about their power and access to resources? Does the contrast between the predatory ocelot and the heron speak to social hierarchies of the time? Editor: That’s a totally different way of looking at it. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure! It is important to think of the materials and labor that go into creating a piece.