Powder Horn c. 1938

Editor: Here we have Edward L. Loper’s drawing, "Powder Horn," created around 1938. It seems to be etched, displaying these little hunting vignettes. The mood is nostalgic, like a folk art memory. What stands out to you? Curator: It whispers of a bygone era, doesn't it? That sepia tone… I immediately imagine the hands that would've clutched a powder horn just like this one. What stories those hands could tell! See how the frieze-like composition is broken into two registers? How the hunting scene, so meticulously etched, becomes almost secondary to the ornamental crest above? Editor: I didn't notice the separation so much before, but now that you mention it, the crest does seem detached, like a family emblem floating above the daily activities of the hunt. Curator: Precisely! It's like a symbol of aspiration overlooking reality, don't you think? This might be Loper's subtle commentary on class, or even a deeper musing on heritage. Think about the hunter, the hunted, and who gets to define the narrative. Is it about conquest or coexistence? Editor: That’s such a rich way to view it, I was caught up in the story that the artwork was telling rather than it being an idea. Curator: And stories are merely beginnings! Now you'll carry the story to others, making them wonder. Editor: Absolutely, thank you, that gives me such a more complex vision.