Figurehead 1935 - 1942

Alfred Walbeck captured this figurehead in watercolor. What grips me is not just its weathered presence, but the hat. The hat, adorned with feathers, signifies status and identity. Hats, as symbols of authority and belonging, echo through art history. Think of the plumed helmets of ancient warriors or the elaborate headwear of Renaissance nobility. This figurehead, proudly sporting its hat, taps into that collective memory. The hat is a silent carrier of social and personal narratives. These symbols are not static; they evolve. The feathered hat might once have represented valor and aristocracy, now a vestige of bygone eras. Yet, its emotional weight persists, engaging viewers on a subconscious level. This cyclical return highlights our enduring fascination with symbols of identity, how they are reshaped, re-contextualized, and passed through time.