Langouste (Spiny Lobster) c. 18th century

Editor: Here we have Jean-Baptiste Oudry's "Langouste," a drawing of a spiny lobster. It feels so immediate, like a snapshot! What’s your take on this? Curator: Oudry was known for his animal studies, often commissioned by the French aristocracy. This drawing reflects a growing interest in natural history during the Enlightenment, and the public role of art in disseminating knowledge. How do you think the lobster, a luxury food item, factors into the social context? Editor: Interesting! I hadn't considered that the lobster's status as a delicacy might be relevant. Curator: Indeed. It reminds us that art isn't created in a vacuum. It's often intertwined with social and political realities. Editor: That gives me a lot to think about. I’ll look at art history a bit differently from now on! Curator: Excellent! That’s exactly the point.