-Donkey c. 20th century

This lead toy donkey lives at the Minneapolis Institute of Art and was made by an unknown artist. The artist’s hand is evident in the subtle variations in the donkey’s grey coat, almost like brushstrokes. It's a simple toy but also kind of heavy, both literally and maybe metaphorically. The red saddle pad is such a contrast to the grey, almost mournful donkey, bringing a jolt of color. Check out the heart-shaped padlock hanging off the saddle. It’s such a bizarre detail, adding a layer of weirdness to the piece. I'm thinking about Redon, who embraced dreamlike imagery and whose artworks are similarly imbued with symbolic meaning. This donkey is like a dream, and toys, like art, are always open to interpretation.