Weather Vane Finial c. 1939

This "Weather Vane Finial" was designed by Philip Johnson, who lived from 1855 to 1995. Consider how the weather vane, traditionally perched atop barns and cupolas, signals not only the direction of the wind, but also a certain kind of rootedness, of place. This stylized horse, caught mid-stride, becomes a symbol of American identity. How do we reconcile this image of rural stability with Johnson's later turn to urban architecture? What does it mean to take this object, so tied to the land, and place it within the context of modern art? It challenges us to consider the intersections of rural and urban, past and present. The horse itself, rendered in a simple, almost classical form, evokes a sense of strength and freedom. The work explores themes of movement and direction, and maybe even hints at the more complex relationships between identity, place, and progress.