Penny Bank: Pig c. 1941

Editor: This watercolor and drawing titled "Penny Bank: Pig" was created by Charles Henning around 1941. It's charming! The rendering of the worn texture makes me think this piggy bank was well loved and heavily used. How do you read this piece? Curator: Beyond its charm, this drawing opens up fascinating perspectives on labor and the economic landscape of the 1940s. The well-worn texture you noted speaks volumes, doesn't it? But consider this: whose labor filled that bank? Was it the wages of a child, learning about saving? Or was it, perhaps, a symbol of aspirations deferred during a time of war and economic hardship? Editor: I hadn’t thought of it in those terms. It makes me consider that a pig is often linked to capitalism. Curator: Exactly. So, how do we interpret this pig within the context of mid-20th century America? Is it a celebration of burgeoning consumerism or a commentary on the disparities of wealth and opportunity? Is it innocent? Editor: Now that you point that out, the fact that the tongue is showing and red, contrasting so sharply with the dark body, is perhaps not so innocent! I originally assumed it to be cute, but now I wonder about this specific choice! Curator: I am with you. That specific colour catches the eye, making me wonder if the intention was, in some ways, satirical. By visually pulling the coin bank apart from its use and setting it in front of a neutral ground, perhaps Henning prompts us to reflect on this strange capitalist image. What do you think we take away from our dialogue today? Editor: That even an innocuous image like this one holds layers of meaning when viewed through the lens of history, identity, and socioeconomic critique! Thank you.