Baby Jane in Summer 1978

Jamie Wyeth painted "Baby Jane in Summer," rendering a pig in oil on canvas. Wyeth, born into a family of artists, carries a weight of expectation and legacy. Looking at this painting, one might consider the cultural connotations we assign to animals. Pigs, often symbols of impurity or gluttony, here are given a tender moment of observation. The pig, named Baby Jane, is seen gazing out of a barn, perhaps at a world she can’t fully access, or doesn't fully understand. The anthropomorphism invites questions about identity, and our relationship to the natural world. Is the artist reflecting on themes of confinement and longing through the pig's perspective? "I’m fascinated by animals," Wyeth said, "maybe because they don’t talk." Wyeth's intimate portrayal encourages us to reflect on our own perceptions and biases. The artist prompts a dialogue about the lines we draw between ourselves and the natural world.