The diversity of paintings and persistent literary voice of Martin Johnson Heade (1819-1904) present challenges. Viewers of Heade’s paintings perceived his attention to nature without a clue about his commitments to wildlife policies.

Readers of op-ed articles signed by “Didymus,” Heade’s pen name, learned of his concerns with game management, but remained unaware of his long and distinguished artistic career. Works by evolutionist, Charles Robert Darwin (1809-1882) provide links.