Elephant with Riders in Jardin des Plantes, Paris n.d.

Auguste Lançon created this drawing, "Elephant with Riders in Jardin des Plantes, Paris," using pen and ink. The choice of such readily available, portable materials speaks to the artwork's purpose: capturing a fleeting moment. Lançon’s skill with line allows him to render the textures of the elephant's hide, the fabrics of the riders' clothing, and the surrounding foliage. Note the sharp contrast between the detailed foreground and the sketchier background, achieved through varying line weight and density. The meticulous application of ink, building up shadows and textures, suggests a considerable investment of time and labor. But beyond the drawing’s aesthetic qualities, it hints at a wider social context: the commercialization of exotic animals for public entertainment. Elephants, far removed from their natural habitat, become beasts of burden in the Jardin des Plantes, their labor providing amusement for the Parisian bourgeoisie. This challenges our notions of high art and raises questions about the relationship between leisure, labor, and our treatment of the natural world.