Figurehead from Bark "George" c. 1939

Editor: This watercolor drawing, titled "Figurehead from Bark 'George'," was created around 1939 by Mary E. Humes. It’s fascinating how much detail is packed into such a small work! It's a study of textures and shapes. How would you interpret it from a formalist perspective? Curator: Considering a Formalist lens, the drawing presents an intriguing study in contrasts. The texture of the figure's skin clashes rather discordantly with the smooth, flowing lines of the jacket. Can we see how the artist creates a tension between these elements through line, color and composition? Editor: I see that. It feels like a struggle between the realistic and the stylized, with the precise lines of the uniform clashing against the much rougher face and exposed skin. It's very odd-looking. Curator: Indeed. Notice the careful arrangement of light and shadow; how it delineates the planes of the face and the folds of the clothing. The limited palette, primarily blues and browns, reinforces this duality, and contributes to the emotional ambiguity you mentioned. Would you say this tension reflects any thematic consideration? Editor: Perhaps, it is the dichotomy between inner turmoil and outer appearances, presented through the composition and colour? The roughness of the flesh hints at the 'real', whilst the smooth outfit suggests the constructed nature of identity. Curator: Precisely. Through the formal elements alone, Humes has communicated a complex commentary on structure, being more than simply the image of a wooden figurehead. Editor: I agree, analyzing this through formal elements really allows us to interpret Humes’ deeper intentions within her art. Curator: It reveals how artistic meaning lies not just in subject matter, but also in the careful orchestration of formal techniques.