Fox c. 19th century

Editor: This is Karl Bodmer's etching "Fox," currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. The detail is incredible, and it makes me wonder about the animal's place in its environment. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see a potent symbol of wilderness facing increasing encroachment. The fox, often a marginalized figure, becomes a focal point here. Bodmer witnessed firsthand the decimation of Indigenous lands and animal habitats. Does this image reflect a subtle resistance, a claiming of space for the wild? Editor: I hadn't thought of it that way, but I see what you mean. It's a more layered piece than I initially perceived. Curator: Exactly! Considering the historical context opens up so much richer, politically charged interpretation.