Pilot House Figure (Eagle) c. 1937

Curator: Immediately, I see determination in this bird's stance, this fixed glare that could pierce anything. Is this some kind of a heraldic emblem? Editor: In a way, yes. We’re looking at "Pilot House Figure (Eagle)", a watercolor drawing from around 1937, by Vincent McPharlin. Think of it as a maquette, or model, for nautical sculpture. These eagles often adorned the pilot houses of ships, as proud symbols of the vessel and the nation it represented. Curator: Ah, a sketch! That explains the directness, almost like a manifesto captured in watercolor. It’s more immediate, less fussy, than a fully realized sculpture. And the rendering! It makes this eagle teeter comically on a tiny striped barrel—somehow diminishing its inherent power and grace. Editor: The compression definitely adds an element of charm. Consider the eagle's placement atop the red and white striped base. The nautical imagery echoes themes in American art history: the ship as both a symbol of progress, but also of perilous crossings and sometimes…oppression. I’m curious: Does knowing its maritime context change your read of its aesthetic and symbolism? Curator: Knowing it was destined to perch on a ship’s pilot house clarifies some things, the cartoonish rendering adds a wry commentary. There’s this mix of power and slight absurdity, as if the artist is winking. Did every shipowner go for such brazen declarations of national pride? Editor: Well, these eagles were about making a statement. Ships broadcast national power and commercial interests. During the Depression era, and the buildup to WWII, such symbols of national identity took on added significance. There’s the idealized patriotism but also a hint of caricature… Curator: I get a kind of knowing grimace. It feels real somehow. Like an emblem that almost dares you to laugh, acknowledging the tension. And those colors! Earthy tones punctuated by the aggressive red of the stripes... It feels deeply human to me, even though it’s a drawing of an eagle on a… striped thing. Editor: In the context of its time, it almost feels like a recognition of a darker humor within the aspirations. Its boldness makes a quieter claim than any heroic sculpture. Curator: Yes! Perhaps the most potent emblems are always laced with doubt or uncertainty. It stays with you.