Window Wishing 

Ernie Barnes captures a scene of consumer desire in his painting, Window Wishing. The bold ‘SALE’ signs become symbolic beacons, reflecting a deep-seated cultural narrative that echoes across time. The beckoning call of the ‘sale’ is a modern echo of ancient rituals of exchange and desire. Consider how the marketplace has always been a stage for human longing, from the bazaars of antiquity to today’s department stores. Here, the window acts as a membrane between the world of aspiration and the realm of possession, triggering a psychological dance of longing and potential satisfaction. The women in the painting, gazing upwards, perform a secular act of worship. The window display is like a mirror reflecting their desires and aspirations. The act of wanting, of projecting oneself into a future where these objects are possessed, is a powerful force that engages our deepest subconscious urges. The image encapsulates how symbols of commerce evolve, carrying forward our collective dreams and anxieties about material desire through the ages.