Toy Sledge and Oxen 1935 - 1942

William Kerby created this watercolor and graphite drawing, "Toy Sledge and Oxen," sometime in the 20th century. Kerby was an artist working in the first half of the twentieth century, a period of significant social and cultural change marked by industrialization and shifting attitudes towards labor. Kerby's decision to depict a child’s toy offers a lens through which to consider evolving views on childhood and labor. Oxen, traditionally work animals, are here reduced to the scale of toys, miniaturizing labor itself. How does this shift in scale and context change our understanding of work, particularly child labor? The rough-hewn quality of the toy contrasts with the often idealized imagery of children at play. This evokes an emotional tension: the innocence of play set against the backdrop of real-world labor. Kerby's rendering of a simple, handmade toy invites us to reflect on the value we place on labor, leisure, and the cultural narratives we construct around both.