Embroidered Linen Collar c. 1936

Editor: We are looking at Marie Famularo's "Embroidered Linen Collar" from around 1936. It seems to be a drawing or design on paper. I find its simplicity quite elegant. What can you tell us about this collar? Curator: Considering a materialist perspective, this piece is fascinating. It invites us to think about the labour involved, even if it’s presented as a drawing. A design for an embroidered collar forces questions: Who would have made it? Under what conditions? Was this intended for mass production or bespoke creation? Editor: That's a really interesting point; I was just considering the finished product. The production context completely changes my understanding. What kind of labor would be required? Curator: Think about it: linen production, embroidery, the pattern making…each step relies on a system of materials and often undervalued manual skill. Even this drawing implicates artistic labor, its translation of the envisioned object from idea to paper is a necessary first step. Editor: It makes me wonder about the social context. Would something like this be for personal use or part of a larger commercial venture during the 1930s? Curator: Precisely. Examining the historical context informs our interpretation. Collars like this were common, yet their production could range from a cottage industry, where women produced textiles at home, to a factory setting involving division of labor and mechanization. We must acknowledge its placement within the textile industry, labor divisions and consumer culture. Editor: That’s a completely different angle than I initially considered. So much embedded in what initially looks like a simple design. Curator: Exactly. By centering on materials and processes, we unveil hidden dimensions that challenge conventional definitions separating craft from fine art. Hopefully this reveals a deeper understanding of this artwork beyond its immediate visual appeal.