Door Knocker c. 1936

Curator: This intriguing coloured pencil drawing, "Door Knocker," created by William L. Antrim around 1936, features a rather imposing eagle perched above the knocker itself. It’s a wonderfully precise rendering, isn’t it? Editor: Yes, my initial impression is one of stark, almost aggressive stateliness. That eagle looks more like a heraldic symbol of power than a simple house fixture. It certainly sends a message. Curator: Absolutely, and I think that's deliberate. The image of an eagle, of course, carries so much weight culturally. Even in the 1930s, think about how national identity was being visually constructed. To put it on your door knocker... Editor: It becomes a statement, declaring something about the homeowner's values and perhaps even political leanings. I’m curious, how might the context of the 1930s shape the reception of such imagery, especially considering the rise of nationalism across Europe? Curator: Well, on one level, the use of the eagle evokes Roman imperial power through its revival in Napoleon’s emblems and subsequent use in nations that drew upon that symbolism. In America, this references something about both classical values and national symbolism. It might suggest a kind of civic virtue... Or perhaps aspirational identity? Editor: Perhaps, though there's also the inherent potential for the image to be read in a more sinister light. Considering the looming shadow of war, an aggressive national symbol might carry unintended connotations, no? It does invite some discomfort. Curator: Precisely, and this highlights how objects like this door knocker can become battlegrounds of meaning. A homeowner might intend it as a sign of patriotism, but it could easily be interpreted differently, particularly as anxieties about political identity intensified during this period. It's a really resonant piece. Editor: Indeed, looking at Antrim's detailed technique, capturing the light reflecting off what seems like burnished metal, further accentuates the air of significance around what would otherwise be a utilitarian object. It elevates the everyday into a pronouncement. Thank you. Curator: My pleasure. It really goes to show, doesn't it, how something as seemingly mundane as a door knocker can reflect wider cultural and political currents of the time.