Squirrel Statuette c. 1937

Yolande Delasser created this Squirrel Statuette with watercolor and graphite, sometime in the 20th century. The image presents a squirrel statuette, not an actual squirrel, made during a period when institutions like museums were expanding, shaping tastes and understandings of art. Consider the cultural role assigned to animals in art, often symbolizing traits or reflecting societal values. The statuette’s form, sitting upright and holding a nut, suggests human-like qualities, a common anthropomorphic representation. This cultural tendency invites questions about the human projection of characteristics onto animals, influencing how we perceive the natural world. Understanding this artwork requires delving into social and institutional histories: how were animals portrayed and perceived during the time? What was the role of art in shaping cultural attitudes toward nature? Researching museum collections, historical texts, and cultural studies could illuminate the Squirrel Statuette’s broader cultural significance.