Curatorial Narrative The enigmatic work of Franklin Morris Howarth, “Nine comic strip frames of man dropping molasses and feathers on lions beneath his hammock Pl.7” occupies an intriguing position within the broader expanse of Surrealist art production. Executed in a strict linear brushwork, the piece adheres to the modernist ideals of clarity and precision that defined its era while simultaneously subverting them through its unapologetic commitment to figural representation.Within this visual framework, Howarth’s deliberate use of monochromatic black on cream background creates an atmosphere of eerie serenity, a chromatic structure that underscores the tension between order and chaos. Upon enlargement to 44×52 inches, the spatial rhythm established by the repetition of nine framed vignettes becomes even more pronounced, generating a sense of visual continuity that belies the disparate elements depicted within each frame.When intro