{"product_id":"chris-packham-on-the-earthy-bed-beneath-the-beech-limited-edition-print","title":"On the Earthy Bed Beneath the Beech – Limited Edition Print","description":"\u003cp\u003eRed Fox, New Forest, UK, 2023\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis photograph is designed to deceive. It appears to show a sleeping fox, curled gently at the base of a tree, framed by woodland that feels untouched, enchanted. The light is soft, the composition serene. It invites a sentimental response – an improbable image of natural stillness, beauty and safety.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e‘I was in a photographic bookshop,’ Packham recalls, ‘and I found this book of postmortem photography. In certain countries up until the 1930s, when a loved one died, before you called the undertaker, you called a photographer, who would arrange that person sitting up or lying down as if they were still alive, and take a photograph of them. I was very disturbed by this book, I couldn’t get it out of my mind.’\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhen he comes across the bodies of dead animals, Packham often preserves them, finding them too beautiful to routinely discard.  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e‘I began to see a parallel between myself and the postmortem photography. The dead animal was so beautiful, I just couldn't let it go. Ev\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eerything about the scene is designed to feel magical. The background, the light, even the viewpoint, slightly elevated, almost heavenly. People say, “Look at that sleeping fox – what a beautiful photograph.” Then I tell them the fox is dead, and the whole illusion collapses. You realise it isn’t wonderful at all. It’s tragic. The fox has been killed by a car. That moment – when appreciation of beauty becomes discomfort – is exactly the point.’\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003ePrices and sizes available on enquiry. Contact gallery@iconicimages.net\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEdition of 6\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSigned and numbered on the front by Chris Packham\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePrinted on Hahnemühle hemp paper\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Chris Packham","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47813289869566,"sku":"OnTheEarthyBedBeneathTheBeech","price":1725600.0,"currency_code":"HTG","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0623\/5465\/3438\/files\/Screenshot2026-02-20at16.14.25_a972fb45-86e6-4cea-b95b-f6ce80460340.webp?v=1776336872","url":"https:\/\/iconicimagesgallery.com\/en-ht\/products\/chris-packham-on-the-earthy-bed-beneath-the-beech-limited-edition-print","provider":"Iconic Images","version":"1.0","type":"link"}