Whale's Tooth c. 1940

Editor: We're looking at Carl Strehlau's "Whale's Tooth," from around 1940, done in watercolor. It depicts two, well, whale's teeth, each bearing an image. There's something about the juxtaposition of the marine imagery with what looks like a figure of Hope, plus those miniature whaling scenes, that creates an intriguing mood. What symbols do you see working in this piece? Curator: The tooth itself is loaded with symbolic power, wouldn't you agree? It’s a trophy, a testament to human dominance over nature. But then Strehlau decorates them. Do you see the dichotomy? Editor: Absolutely. The "Hope" figure juxtaposed with the whaling scene creates a conflicting image of destruction alongside, well, hope. I find the miniature whaling scenes very quaint; their positioning and medium further distance them from reality. How does this artwork create meaning? Curator: Strehlau isn't merely decorating; he's embedding layers of cultural memory. The image of Hope, paired with the anchor, a well-worn symbol, evokes notions of salvation and security. But against what, we may ask? Does it remind you of anything? The teeth may allude to economic prosperity for the region, though not necessarily for all its inhabitants. Editor: It makes me think of scrimshaw. Was that a popular folk art at the time? Curator: Precisely. And what cultural traditions are suggested in it, would you say? Those objects are made in long periods, the process and imagery telling a different tale of loneliness, skill and perseverance. Think about it. Those personal connections. How does Strehlau seem to reinterpret this? Editor: I see what you mean! It makes this piece feel more complex, unsettling. Curator: Exactly! The cultural references add a layer of understanding. Editor: That tension really elevates this beyond a simple still life. Thank you for offering insight into the use of symbology here!