Finial Eagle c. 1937

Editor: This is James McLellan's "Finial Eagle," created around 1937, using coloured pencils and watercolor. There's something very stoic and imposing about this eagle, even in a drawing. What do you see in this piece? Curator: It's fascinating how McLellan captures the essence of the eagle as a symbol of power and authority. Think about the cultural weight the eagle carries. Its likeness appears on countless national emblems. Why do you think the artist chose to depict the eagle with its eyes closed, almost in repose? Editor: That's an interesting question. Perhaps to convey a sense of wisdom or contemplation, rather than aggressive power? Curator: Precisely. The closed eyes invite us to consider the internal landscape, the wisdom and experience embodied by this creature. Notice, too, the detailed rendering of the feathers. It suggests not just an individual eagle, but a representation of something larger: national identity and strength. The symbol becomes a vessel of cultural memory. Does the medium – watercolour and colored pencil – affect how we interpret the image? Editor: I think so. Compared to, say, an oil painting or a bronze sculpture, the drawing has an approachability, softening some of its inherent martial symbolism. Curator: The choice of medium allows for a more intimate, almost vulnerable portrayal of this potent symbol. It suggests a tension between the ideals associated with the eagle and the quiet dignity of the creature itself. The effect humanizes the symbol. The weight shifts away from a simple totem of power toward a layered meditation on a symbol of the American ethos. Editor: I see it now! McLellan isn't just drawing an eagle, he’s inviting us to think about what that symbol really means, and how it connects us to our history and values. Curator: Exactly. He prompts reflection, drawing upon a reservoir of cultural understanding we each possess. Editor: That gives me a whole new perspective on the image. Thanks!