Penny Bank: Statue of Liberty c. 1941

Curator: Hmm, it's interesting... it gives off this feeling of quaint nostalgia, like something you’d find in grandma’s attic. Editor: This watercolor drawing by Herman Schulze, dating back to around 1941, presents a "Penny Bank: Statue of Liberty." It’s figuration using simple media, yet heavy with the weight of what it signifies in that particular historical moment. Curator: Exactly! Nostalgia with a purpose, maybe? It's almost like he's captured the essence of aspiration in this tiny icon, made even more poignant by the soft edges of watercolor. Did folks actually save their pennies in little Lady Libertys? Editor: Indeed! The medium and the motif connect powerfully. Around that time, the symbol of the Statue of Liberty was a constant, yet the promise of America was, for many, particularly marginalized communities, a stark contrast to their lived realities. This also speaks to the function of penny banks as pedagogical tools teaching financial literacy alongside the cultural values associated with freedom. Curator: I see your point, knowing that contextual information changes everything. All those layers of the story affect my experience and emotional response, especially as that period was, let's just say, not so liberating for everyone. And that watercolor softness suddenly feels less about cozy nostalgia, and more about gentle yearning. Editor: It makes you think about the narratives we construct around symbols, doesn't it? And how those narratives are constantly being negotiated and challenged, particularly during times of war. The artist creates more than an illustration. It makes us question whether it depicts genuine patriotism or blind nationalism. Curator: Oh, I love it. Suddenly a kitschy souvenir morphs into a loaded question. Like a whisper about who truly gets to access freedom’s promise. Editor: Absolutely. Schulze’s "Penny Bank: Statue of Liberty," manages to be both a tender representation and a subtle critique of the American Dream. Curator: The artist has offered this piece and, it seems, leaves viewers to take our personal stands of the stories this representation might tell us. Editor: Well said!