Decoy Duck 1935 - 1942

Harriette Gale sketched this ‘Decoy Duck’ using watercolor and graphite. The duck, rendered with careful detail, transcends its immediate reality, beckoning us into a world of symbols. Observe how the serene stillness of the decoy belies its true purpose, a symbol of deception, luring unsuspecting fowl. The symbolism of the duck dates back to ancient times, where it embodied adaptability, resourcefulness, and a connection to both water and sky. In ancient Egypt, the duck was linked to nobility and divine protection. Contrast this with its present representation as a hunter's tool. The practice of mimicking nature’s forms to exploit the natural world reminds us of the complex relationship between humans and their environment. Harriette Gale's duck captures not just the likeness of a bird, but also the age-old dance of hunter and prey, a narrative ever-evolving through time.