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Origin Species, CH Bennett, Wit - owl
Poster Prints from Mary Evans Picture Library
Origin Species, CH Bennett, Wit - owl
An owl to wit. Satire on Darwins Origin of Species showing the evolution of a wit, from a candle, via a porcupine and owl. He calls himself a philosopher, and surrounds himself with books, yet a wit he is not, for earlier in his evolution as an owl he had merely covered his stupidity in feathers and earlier still was so afraid of exposing it that he came out in the prickles of a fretful porcupine. He used to be a shining light (three candlesticks) but ironically the book he is holding has evolved from a pair of candle snuffers that will probably ultimately extinguish him
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Media ID 4480477
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10472294
Bennett Candle Darwin Evolution Feathers Origin Philosopher Porcupine Satire Shining Species Prickles Stupidity
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This intriguing photograph print, titled "Origin Species: CH Bennett, Wit - owl," offers a satirical take on the theory of evolution as proposed by Charles Darwin in the 1860s. In this imaginative reinterpretation, the evolution of a wit is depicted, starting from a simple candle, progressing through a porcupine, and ultimately culminating in an owl. The owl, who fancies himself a philosopher, is surrounded by an impressive collection of books, yet his wit remains elusive. Earlier in his evolutionary journey, the owl was a shining light, represented by three candlesticks. However, the irony lies in the fact that the book he clutches has evolved from a pair of candle snuffers, which may ultimately extinguish him. In his earlier stages, the owl was not a wit at all, but rather hid his stupidity beneath a covering of feathers. Even earlier, he was so fearful of exposing his lack of wit that he came out in the prickly quills of a fretful porcupine. This thought-provoking image invites us to ponder the nature of intelligence and the evolution of the human mind. It also serves as a humorous commentary on the human tendency to overcomplicate things, as the owl, with his vast library, attempts to mask his lack of wit with knowledge. The photograph print, from the Mary Evans Prints Online archive, is a must-have for anyone interested in the history of evolutionary theory, satire, or simply a unique and intriguing work of art.
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