Plate 150 Red-eyed Vireo 

Editor: This is "Plate 150 Red-eyed Vireo" by John James Audubon, a print combining etching and watercolor. The starkness of the branches contrasts with the vivid green of the leaves and the bird itself. What strikes you most about this image? Curator: For me, it’s about the labour involved in its production. Audubon didn't just paint; he managed an entire operation. Think of the paper: its sourcing, the physical process of etching the plate, the hand-application of watercolor, each impression requiring meticulous work. What does this say about the value assigned to this kind of craft in the context of burgeoning industrialization? Editor: That's fascinating! I hadn’t really considered all those layers of work involved. I guess I was focused on it as a piece of scientific illustration. Curator: Exactly! Consider how the division of labor impacted Audubon’s practice, perhaps relying on others for aspects of production. Then think about consumption—who were these prints for? Affluent patrons who valued both scientific accuracy and artistic skill? How does this intertwine with the era's ideas about nature, ownership, and display? Editor: So, it’s not just about the beautiful depiction of a bird, but also about the systems that made it possible, and the people who were part of those systems? Curator: Precisely. By exploring the means of production, we see this print not as a singular creation, but as the product of interconnected social and economic forces. Editor: I will definitely think of art-making in a new way, beyond the sole artist! Curator: And understanding art, and its impact on people, will get more meaningful, too!