Figurehead: "Jolly Tar" 

This watercolor, titled "Figurehead: 'Jolly Tar'", was created by Mary E. Humes, an artist who lived a long life spanning from 1855 to 1995. Humes' work invites us to consider the romanticized, and often problematic, figure of the 18th-century sailor. Note the confident stance and upward gaze. What narratives of maritime adventure and colonial expansion are embedded in this image? How does it perpetuate myths about the sea and those who worked it? Consider, too, the term "Jolly Tar." What does "jolly" imply about the lived experiences of sailors? The term obscures the harsh realities of life at sea, where men from diverse backgrounds faced danger and hardship. Humes’ painting serves as a reminder to critically examine the stories we tell about our past and the people whose lives have been marginalized or misrepresented. It prompts us to reflect on the complexities of history.