Figurehead from Schooner "Polly" 1935 - 1942

Alton K. Skillin made this drawing of a "Figurehead from Schooner "Polly" with what looks like watercolour on paper. It's fascinating how Skillin captures the texture of the weathered wood; you can almost feel the layers of paint peeling away. The blues and greys create a somber, almost ghostly feel, fitting for a figurehead that has probably seen many storms, and this gives the artwork a strong sense of history. I'm drawn to the face of the figurehead, where the paint has worn away the most, revealing the raw wood beneath. It's like looking at a portrait where time itself has become an active collaborator, and it reminds me of the work of Cy Twombly in the way it embraces imperfection and decay. Ultimately, this piece isn't just about representing a physical object, but also about hinting at how things change over time.