Plate - "The Capitol, Washington" c. 1936

This unassuming plate, created by Helmut Hiatt, depicts the Capitol Building in Washington. The building symbolizes governance, and the promise of stability and order. However, note the border, adorned with sea shells. These shells are an interesting motif to juxtapose with such a symbol of authority. Shells, often linked to the sea, evoke concepts of fluidity, change, and the primordial chaos from which life emerges. We see the shell motif in Botticelli's "Birth of Venus," where Venus emerges from a giant scallop shell, symbolizing birth and renewal. The juxtaposition of these symbols invites us to reflect on the nature of power itself. Just as the sea is ever-changing, so too is the landscape of governance. The shells remind us that beneath the veneer of permanence, change is always on the horizon, reflecting the cyclical nature of history. This plate is more than decorative; it is an invitation to contemplate the ebb and flow of power and the enduring human quest for order amidst chaos.