Little Tommy Tittlemouse 

Scott Gustafson painted "Little Tommy Tittlemouse," which encapsulates innocence in a vivid scene of a mouse fishing by a pond. Notice how the fishing motif, typically associated with patience and sustenance, is here imbued with a childlike whimsy. This image of angling resonates with the ancient symbolism of capturing what lies beneath the surface. Think of the Fisher King in Arthurian legends, whose wound mirrors the land's sterility, linking personal suffering to universal decay, or the Fisher of souls, a Christian symbol. But here, the intensity is softened. Tommy's pursuit is more playful than profound. The serene setting also touches something deeper—the idyllic natural world, a recurring dream of humanity. Throughout art history, landscapes like this invite us to recall a lost paradise, a time of harmony between creature and environment. Gustafson draws not just from children's stories but from a wellspring of cultural memory, showing how enduring symbols can be continually refreshed, engaging viewers on an emotional level that transcends time.