Hooping the Wheel 1933

Albert W. Barker created this print, "Hooping the Wheel," capturing the intense labor of wheelwrights. Note the wheel, an ancient symbol of cyclical time and fortune, here made solid and functional through human effort. The image evokes Hephaestus, the Greek god of the forge, master craftsman and the embodiment of transformative fire, echoing through the ages in every depiction of metalworking. Consider also the medieval guilds, where such crafts were shrouded in symbolism, elevating labor to a sacred act. The wheel itself, in myriad forms, appears across cultures – from the Buddhist dharma wheel representing spiritual law, to the wheel of fortune in tarot, reminding us of life's unpredictable nature. Here, its creation underscores a deeper, primal connection between humanity and the tools that shape our world, engaging us with the timeless drama of creation. The act is not merely practical but a continuation of archetypal narratives. The cycle continues.