Sternboard Eagle 1935 - 1942

Editor: So, this is Francis Powell's "Sternboard Eagle," made between 1935 and 1942, using watercolor and colored pencils. It's quite striking! The eagle feels very traditional, almost…heroic, sitting above these draped American flags. What catches your eye? Curator: The eagle, and its symbolic weight in American culture, definitely jumps out. But look closer. What kind of eagle is it? The sternboard placement would usually denote a connection with maritime identity or patriotism. Do you see anything in its presentation, anything that hints at deeper meanings beyond just national pride? Editor: I see… well, it’s very symmetrical, with the eagle centered. And it has its mouth open – like it’s either about to speak, or maybe it's calling out? It almost looks like a figurehead on a ship. What is the significance of sternboard imagery in particular? Curator: Sternboards historically acted as symbolic guardians, figures of protection and power for a vessel and its crew. By extension, they become symbols for the nation itself. Powell’s choice of a vibrant, if somewhat stiff, presentation suggests a call for national strength. Is it perhaps an echo of resilience during a period of great depression and looming global conflict? Editor: Ah, the 1930s, during the Great Depression and leading up to WWII. I never really considered that! So, it’s not just a pretty picture, but a visual reminder of national ideals during tough times? Curator: Precisely! The visual language taps into a deep well of national identity. Notice, too, how the colors of the flags seem muted – almost weary. What effect does that have, coupled with the symbol of the fierce eagle? Editor: That gives the whole piece a very interesting new meaning to me. It is a layered image full of symbols. It definitely provides a snapshot into American anxieties and aspirations. Curator: It does. It reminds us that symbols are not fixed but actively shape and are shaped by the times we live in.