Toy Bank: Mule c. 1941

This watercolor depicts a mechanical toy bank featuring a man and a mule. The man, seated with a stick, gestures towards the mule. The mule itself bears a history laden with symbolism. Historically, mules were associated with burden and labor, yet also with a certain stubborn resilience. In ancient Greece, mules were linked to Hermes, a messenger, suggesting a connection to travel and communication. The act of the man gesturing, reminiscent of a conductor, evokes images of power and control, yet here, it is rendered in miniature, almost childlike. This playful interpretation contrasts sharply with the more serious connotations. Such dualities remind us that the image has a life of its own, shifting in meaning across time. The images carry emotional, cultural, and psychological weight across time and space.