Black Cocks 1828

Curator: This is John James Audubon's painting, "Black Cocks," currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Oh, my. Well, that's rather…dark. The scene has a very ominous feel to it, like a Victorian nightmare. Curator: Indeed. Audubon, known for his ornithological studies, here seems to be exploring the darker aspects of nature, perhaps the impact of human activity? Editor: All those birds clustered together like that...it's almost claustrophobic. Makes you wonder what story Audubon is trying to tell, you know? Curator: The title itself invites interpretation. Given Audubon's era, the term "cock" carried different connotations. It's interesting how language evolves, isn’t it? Editor: It is. The painting really hits you with its bluntness. Quite a bold statement, whatever it may be. Curator: Exactly. Audubon prompts us to reconsider our own perceptions of both nature and language. Editor: Makes you think, doesn’t it? A memorable work for sure.