Hat Mannequin and Bonnet c. 1937

Howard Weld made this watercolor drawing of a hat mannequin and bonnet, though exactly when is anyone’s guess. What a striking image! It’s like Weld was trying to figure something out: maybe about the way we see, or the way we try on different identities. I can imagine him squinting, tilting his head, trying to capture just the right angle of that bonnet, how the light hits it. Look at those eyes! They tell a story of their own, don't they? It’s like he's inviting us into his world of exploration. The ribbon tied in a neat bow adds a touch of elegance, but it's the overall composition that really grabs you. Weld is playing with form and color, creating a piece that's both whimsical and thought-provoking. There’s a whole world of possibilities lurking beneath the surface.