Wedding Dress c. 1939

This is Mary E. Humes' rendering of a wedding dress. Executed with graphite and colored pencil, the design appears to float against the paper, its muted tones softly asserting its presence. The dress is characterized by its elongated form, with fitted sleeves and a cinched waist that flares into a full skirt. The delicate floral embroidery traces serpentine lines, disrupting the pristine surface. Humes' formal choices prompt us to consider the dialectic between the dress's structural integrity and its decorative elements. The linear precision of the drawing, typical of design sketches, captures a moment of transition from concept to physical reality. The lack of vibrant color could be interpreted as a conscious decision to focus on form and structure, leaving room for the observer's interpretation. The artist invites us to engage with the potential of form. The drawing stands as an invitation to delve into the narratives and personal histories that a garment might embody.