Figurehead: "The Highlander" c. 1937

Curator: Here we have a remarkable carving from around 1937, "Figurehead: The Highlander". Editor: There’s a real gravitas here—that stoic posture and averted gaze lend him such presence. And the crispness of the lines describing the figure are so sharply articulated and precise. Curator: Precisely! The artist, Ingrid Selmer-Larsen, has paid keen attention to the structure of the figure; see how the diagonal lines of the kilt counteract the rigid verticality of the figure. It creates a tension that is palpable. Editor: Yes, and this highlander’s garb isn't just decoration; the kilt and sporran—especially with that heraldic design—speak volumes. He's representing history, tradition, lineage...perhaps even sacrifice. What’s intriguing is the tension between his rather melancholic facial expression, the hand gesture with intertwined fingers, and this overt display of identity and power. Curator: That tension stems in part from the artist’s keen observation of the formal qualities of wood, too. Look at the raw cuts that are only refined toward the areas most vital for communicating likeness. It’s only subtly polychromatic, allowing that wood to carry so much of the form. Editor: The symbolism goes even further, I suspect. This "Highlander," acting as a figurehead, would become a guardian spirit, representing navigation and safe return. The icon of the kilted highlander carries notions of Scottish national identity, honor, and warrior prowess across waters. Curator: Undoubtedly! It is not only iconography and function working in conjunction, though. Note how the interplay between shadow and light shapes our perception and directs our vision toward the upper body and specifically to that head. It's beautifully calculated! Editor: In some ways, it makes the symbolism secondary to the sheer craftsmanship; one begins to wonder what stories the original tree may hold! Selmer-Larsen successfully intertwines a celebration of form with resonant symbolism. Curator: Well, after considering the construction and the figure’s lines in concert with all you’ve illuminated around the symbolic dimensions, I have a more acute understanding and appreciation of the artistry on display here. Editor: Agreed. Bringing together form and cultural context makes this figurehead all the more powerful in my mind.