Exploring the Golden Eagle Through Time
I’ve been working on a new piece titled Freedom Then and Now, which explores how human attitudes toward wild animals—particularly the golden eagle—have changed over time. It’s a reflection on captivity and liberation, dominance and respect, and how shifting values are captured visually through art.
This work is designed as a two-part narrative. One side of the canvas represents the past—the Victorian era, a time when golden eagles were seen not as majestic wild creatures, but as symbols to be owned, hunted, or displayed. The other side represents the present—one that leans toward freedom, conservation, and ecological awareness. The contrast between these two worlds is central to the message of the piece.
🗝️ The Past: A Caged Majesty
The first half of the painting is now complete. It features a golden eagle in a detailed, ornate Victorian-style cage. I deliberately chose a decorative cage to reflect how, in the 19th century, there was a widespread fascination with collecting and exhibiting exotic animals. Golden eagles—proud, fierce birds of prey—were sometimes kept in private menageries or shown off by the wealthy as proof of status and power.
During the Victorian era, golden eagles were also hunted extensively. Landowners, particularly in Scotland, viewed them as pests that threatened livestock and game birds like grouse. Gamekeepers were often paid to kill them to protect estate interests. At the same time, eagles were valued for sport and used in falconry, particularly by the aristocracy. In these contexts, they were admired—but only within tightly controlled, human-dominated environments.
Golden eagles were also popular targets for taxidermy and egg collecting, both fashionable Victorian hobbies that often led to the destruction of local populations. These activities reflected the era’s broader attitude toward nature: one of control, ownership, and domination, rather than respect or coexistence.
The caged bird in this piece symbolizes not just physical confinement, but also how human ambition can suppress the natural world, reducing something wild and powerful into a possession. It’s a quiet but pointed reflection on a mindset that viewed nature as something to be owned.
🌄 The Present: Beginning the Flight
Now, I’ve begun working on the second half of the painting—the freedom side. This part will show the same golden eagle in the wild Only the head and base forms are currently in place, but the energy is already starting to shift.
This side of the painting is about liberation. It reflects how modern views toward wildlife have changed, especially in the last few decades. Conservation efforts have helped protect species like the golden eagle, which is now legally protected in the UK. There's greater public awareness of the importance of preserving natural ecosystems and allowing animals to live in the wild without interference.
Where once we caged what we found beautiful, today we are learning to observe it from a distance, protect it, and let it remain free. The free eagle symbolizes not only the literal freedom of the bird, but also a deeper human recognition that nature does not exist for our control. It stands for dignity, survival, and the return of wildness to landscapes where it was nearly lost.
🎨 Creating the Contrast
The contrast between the two sides is what gives this work its emotional and visual power. On one side, a proud animal confined, displayed, and misunderstood. On the other, the same creature liberated, seen with new eyes. Together, they tell a story—not just about the golden eagle, but about how far we’ve come (and how far we still need to go) in rethinking our relationship with the natural world.
The painting is still in progress, and there’s more to develop on the freedom side—light, motion, atmosphere—but the foundation is in place. I’m excited to continue shaping that energy of movement and space that defines the eagle in its natural state.
🖋 Final Thoughts
Freedom Then and Now isn’t just a historical reflection—it’s a statement about values. It asks us to consider:
What do we choose to control?
What do we choose to let be wild?
And what does it say about us?
As I continue working on this piece, I hope it invites viewers to reflect not only on the history of how we’ve treated animals, but also on our current role as caretakers—not captors—of the natural world.
Stay tuned for more updates as the golden eagle takes flight.
Add comment
Comments