W. A. Wheelock Estate c. 1936

Tabea Hosier made this artwork, W. A. Wheelock Estate, with watercolor and graphite. The symbolic language of this estate plan speaks volumes, particularly in its deliberate deployment of classical and natural motifs. Take, for instance, the classical statue positioned prominently on the plan, and the restful deer. Such imagery evokes the ancient Roman ideals of virtue and the pastoral, a longing for a harmonious relationship with nature. We find the deer echoing through art history, from medieval tapestries to Renaissance paintings, symbolizing gentility, purity, and a connection to the wild. Consider the psychological weight of these symbols. The deer represents a deep-seated desire for tranquility and escape, and the classical figure harkens back to a golden age of reason and order. This idealized vision, carefully plotted by Hosier, reveals the enduring power of symbols to shape our understanding of place and belonging, reminding us that these archetypes continue to resonate, evolving and resurfacing across time.