-George Washington- still bank c. 1947

Editor: Here we have a cast metal sculpture of George Washington, dating from around 1947, made by Banthrico, Inc. It strikes me as a rather dignified but also mass-produced version of a historical figure. What's your take on a piece like this? Curator: Well, it's fascinating when you consider how images like this were used to shape a national narrative. Think about how Washington, as a figure, has been constantly repackaged to represent different eras. This being made in the late 40s… who do you think it was made for, and how might they have seen it? Editor: Hmmm, the late 40s, post-war… perhaps for kids to save money? As a patriotic symbol, maybe? Curator: Exactly! Banks like this became a way to instill values - both financial and patriotic - in children. The image of Washington connects thriftiness to national identity, and links saving money with the embodiment of American virtue. The banality of this statue is also an essential feature of its cultural function. Editor: So, it's less about high art, and more about how art becomes integrated into everyday life to promote a particular ideology? Curator: Precisely. Consider who had access to these images, and what kind of power they wielded. Who benefitted from linking Washington, American-ness and the importance of saving capital? Also, where do you think that metal came from after World War II? Editor: That makes me see it differently! I was initially judging it aesthetically, but now I realize it’s more of a historical artifact with social implications. Curator: Absolutely, and by analyzing it through those lenses, we learn a lot about American culture in the mid-20th century, don’t we?