Weathercock c. 1936

Editor: Here we have Beverly Chichester's drawing "Weathercock" from around 1936. I’m immediately struck by its folk art quality, how it captures a rooster so simply, yet with so much personality. It's just... rooster-y! What symbols or hidden meanings do you think resonate within this drawing? Curator: It's interesting you call it personality, because the weathercock, or rooster, has been a potent symbol throughout history. Think of its association with vigilance, announcing the dawn – a powerful image of awareness and light overcoming darkness, not just on a farm, but in the soul. What cultural memory do you think it evokes? Editor: Well, I immediately think of rural America, farms, perhaps a connection to simpler times. It almost feels like a nostalgia piece, even though it was made in the 30s. But why a rooster specifically, over other animals? Curator: The rooster is more than just a barnyard animal; consider its prideful stance, its vibrant plumage. In many cultures, it’s associated with courage, leadership, and even resurrection. Think of the Roman symbol of the rooster on the helmet. Beverly Chichester certainly saw this continuity. Don't you find the bold lines contribute to its confidence? Editor: Definitely, it’s very declarative! So it's not *just* a drawing of a weathervane. This weathercock points to cultural memories far beyond a farm, suggesting awareness, bravery, even spiritual awakening? Curator: Precisely! And remember how folk art often distills complex ideas into deceptively simple forms. What do *you* take away from that synthesis? Editor: It shows how something so everyday can carry incredible symbolic weight. I now see layers I completely missed before! Curator: Indeed. And it’s these hidden layers that keep us looking, questioning, and connecting to the art, and, more importantly, ourselves.