Possum Up De Simmon Tree 1937

William J. Schaldach created this print, "Possum Up De Simmon Tree," sometime in the first half of the 20th century. The image depicts a nocturnal hunting scene, with a lantern-bearing man and his dog gazing up at a figure in a tree, presumably after a possum. This work presents an opportunity to consider the politics of imagery and the social conditions that shape artistic production. The print is strongly reminiscent of minstrel imagery in its depiction of a Black hunting scene. While the artist likely intended to depict a simple scene of rural life, we must also consider its cultural references. How might the title of the artwork and its minstrel associations influence our reading of the image? Is Schaldach reinforcing stereotypes, or attempting to depict a specific cultural experience? To fully understand this artwork, we must consider the social and institutional context in which it was made. Careful research into the artist's biography, the history of printmaking, and the cultural associations of the imagery will help us to interpret its meaning more fully.