Firemark c. 1940

Rose Campbell-Gerke created this rendering of a firemark using graphite on paper. Campbell-Gerke was active in the first half of the twentieth century, a period when women artists navigated significant social and cultural shifts. Firemarks, like the one depicted here, were historically used to identify buildings insured by particular fire insurance companies. This image evokes questions about protection, security, and the role of institutions in safeguarding communities. The eagle, a symbol deeply embedded in national identity and power, becomes entwined with the more localized and personal concern of property protection. Consider the complexities inherent in symbols of power and protection. How do these symbols interact with individual experiences of safety and vulnerability? This piece invites us to reflect on the relationship between national identity, institutional support, and the tangible realities of everyday life.