Iron Hitching Post c. 1937

This drawing of an iron hitching post was made by Samuel Fineman, likely sometime in the first half of the twentieth century. Fineman was an American artist who lived a long life, and his work provides a window into changing social and cultural landscapes. Here, he captures a common object, the hitching post, which in its original function was often seen in rural and urban settings, allowing people to secure their horses. Fineman's careful rendering of the post, with its wood like texture and loop at the top, invites a consideration of labor and transit. The hitching post represents a moment in time before the widespread use of automobiles, when horse-drawn transportation was a part of daily life. In representing the hitching post, Fineman preserves a relic of a bygone era. It reminds us of a time when the pace of life was slower. It is a symbol of both connection and restraint, a point of pause in the journey.