Cattle Brand c. 1936

J. Henry Marley made this drawing of a cattle brand with ink on paper, though we don’t know exactly when. The charm here lies in the bold simplicity and directness of the image. Marley’s mark-making feels unpretentious; the ink is dense and opaque, almost like tar. Look closely, and you can see slight variations in the thickness of the lines, little wobbles that reveal the artist's hand. The brand itself is a kind of rebus, a visual puzzle which combines an upturned U-shape with a zed and a horizontal hook. It's graphic but also kind of wonky, like a letter from an unknown alphabet. I am reminded of Cy Twombly’s line based paintings which also embraced a certain rawness and informality. Ultimately, this piece celebrates the beauty of imperfection, reminding us that art is not just about skill but also about the artist's unique perspective and way of seeing the world. Like all good art, this simple design invites us to slow down, look closer, and find beauty in unexpected places.