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[For larger image]

Richard Ross (b. 1947)
local artist, Santa Barbara
Swans, Booth's Bird Museum, Brighton, England, 1986
Ektacolor Plus print
Gift of Julia Emerson
University Art Museum

Dante
marble
Art Studio


Raven
Museum of Systematics and Ecology, Biological Sciences

The juxtaposition of the numerous and diverse objects within a curiosity cabinet, such as this one, sets up visual resonances and cultural connections. Not all of these juxtapositions need be planned. For example, the items in this grouping, while only coincidentally placed near one another, are all associated with literary history: the raven recalls Edgar Allan Poe's famous poem, the swan is typically associated with Shakespeare, and Dante makes a personal appearance. The play of black and white sets up a pleasing contrast, and the rhythm of curves and angles creates an interesting visual pattern.

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{Gallery}
{Microcosm}