Headstall c. 1940

Curator: We’re looking at Hal Blakeley’s “Headstall,” a watercolor and drawing from around 1940. It’s a surprisingly detailed rendering of… well, a horse’s headstall. Editor: My first thought is how meticulous it is. It feels very objective, like a scientific illustration almost. There's a crispness, despite it being watercolor, and this meticulous detail speaks to a certain type of knowledge of horsemanship and gear. Curator: Absolutely. Blakeley clearly understood the craftsmanship behind these objects. Think about the history embedded in each piece of tack; the cultural significance of horses in the American West; how the horse played a role in conflicts between settlers and indigenous populations; its role in the economy. All of that comes into play when we look at a seemingly simple drawing like this. Editor: Right. The ornamental silver detailing – it speaks to something beyond pure utility. Was this intended for show, or daily use? And how might those uses reflect social stratification and gender dynamics within that Western context? It makes me wonder about the cultural values embedded in these types of objects that blend artistry and practicality. Curator: Exactly! And Blakeley wasn’t just passively documenting something. Artists often responded to popular portrayals of the West, some reinforcing myths, others challenging them. Consider how an artwork like this fits into narratives of progress and domination or subversion. Editor: I agree. By portraying something as functional, like this headstall, it raises questions about what and who gets romanticized and mythologized in the story of the West. Curator: Indeed, looking closer we can trace the complex relationship between objects, power, and identity construction. Editor: Well, Hal Blakeley’s "Headstall" gives us something to consider, and reconsider! It prompts questions about history and labor when simply portraying the functional beauty of western ornament. Curator: A seemingly unassuming drawing really, until we peel back the layers, isn’t it?