Humpty Dumpty 

Scott Gustafson's 'Humpty Dumpty' presents us with a scene brimming with symbolism. The most prominent is, of course, Humpty Dumpty himself, precariously perched, embodying vulnerability and the inevitability of a fall. This motif of the fall echoes throughout history, from the fall of Icarus to the expulsion from Eden, representing the consequences of overreach or hubris. Notice the child-king wielding his wooden sword, a playful echo of power and authority. The crown, an ancient symbol of sovereignty, appears here in miniature, reflecting the child's innocent ambition, yet it reminds us of the heavy weight of leadership. The accompanying dog, the diligent cat absorbed in his book, and the toy horse all contribute to a narrative steeped in childhood innocence, yet shadowed by the looming threat of Humpty's impending tumble. The entire scene invokes our collective memory, a bittersweet recognition of life's fragility.