The Frog Prince 

Curator: Here we have Scott Gustafson’s "The Frog Prince." There’s no date associated with this work, which is painted in gouache. What are your immediate thoughts? Editor: A wonderfully whimsical tableau. The rich tapestry behind the child, the sheer excess on display--it's practically screaming “fairy tale,” with a healthy dose of childish surreality. It feels simultaneously familiar and slightly unsettling. Curator: Notice how the composition itself emphasizes a vertical symmetry. The princess centered within her chair is flanked by two tapestries; this organization establishes the inherent structure of the work, underscoring a balanced dichotomy. Editor: Indeed. And if we unpack those symbols, we see how they enrich the scene. The unicorn—purity, grace, perhaps lost innocence in this context. The swan signifies beauty and transformation. But the frog, quite prominently holding an apple, a potent symbol. Temptation? Knowledge? Is it presenting a choice to the princess? Curator: Good point. Gustafson uses the limited color palette effectively, don't you think? The browns and reds anchor the tapestry and heavy dishes while drawing attention to the brighter sections containing figures; and from a purely formalist perspective, this contrast between heavy color saturation gives a solid visual framework and narrative tension. Editor: Absolutely! And the inclusion of such visual symbolism transforms this artwork into an enduring tale. The way Gustafson connects it all speaks volumes—and, if I'm being honest, maybe a warning for youthful pride. It’s a common theme. Curator: That’s an astute point. One may appreciate that whether through compositional structure or rich iconography, Gustafson creates an interesting work. Editor: Definitely food for thought, visually speaking, on many levels!