Weather Vane c. 1938

Helen Hobart captured this weathervane, a humble instrument, with pen and ink. The horse, a dominant motif here, is more than just an animal; it's a symbol deeply entwined with human history. Since antiquity, the horse has been a symbol of power, freedom, and vitality. Think of the steeds of Helios, pulling the sun across the sky, or the proud horses adorning the Parthenon frieze. Yet here, the horse is rendered in simple iron, a functional object pointing to the whims of the wind. Consider how this noble creature, once a symbol of untamed strength, has been domesticated, harnessed, and now, immortalized as a silhouette atop a roof. This transformation reflects a deep psychological interplay: our longing for freedom and our need to control nature. The horse, forever caught between these two poles, stirs within us a primal echo of both instinct and domestication.