Branding Iron c. 1936

J. Henry Marley made this simple, yet haunting, drawing of a branding iron sometime in the 20th century. Rooted in a history of cattle ranching and ownership, branding represents more than just agricultural practice, it's a visual language of power and control. Consider how this tool embodies complex themes of identity and ownership, particularly through the lens of the American West. The branding iron becomes a symbol of land rights, animal husbandry, and also, the often violent assertion of dominance over both the land and its resources. It raises critical questions about who has the right to mark, to claim, and to define. The stark simplicity of Marley's drawing invites reflection on the social and economic structures that underlie such practices. It's a potent reminder of the stories, both celebrated and suppressed, that shape our understanding of the American landscape and its legacy.