[title not known] 

Curator: Here we have an engraving from the British School, dating from an unknown period. The work, currently part of the Tate Collections, presents a scene of turkeys in a farmyard setting. Editor: Immediately striking is how the stark contrasts of light and shadow, achieved through detailed linear work, define the forms of these birds. There is a sense of depth achieved, albeit minimal, through the variations in line thickness. Curator: These images of animals often served a dual purpose. While seemingly innocuous, they reflect contemporary attitudes towards nature and agriculture. The domestic fowl were becoming increasingly important economically and culturally. Editor: Yet, note the almost abstract quality in the textures created by the engraving technique. It is as if the artist is exploring the boundaries of representation itself. Curator: The work provides valuable insight into the lives and livelihoods of the people of the time. Editor: And it is a masterclass in creating visual complexity through the most economic of means.