Dress 1935 - 1942

Charlotte Winter made this watercolour painting of a dress, likely sometime in the 20th century. The palette is muted, almost pastel, giving it a dreamy, ethereal quality. It’s like she’s not just showing us a dress, but an idea of a dress, a memory perhaps. The material looks thin and washy, with delicate brushstrokes creating the frills and floral patterns. Look closely at the trim. You can see the artist's hand in the varying pressure of the brushstrokes, with some areas appearing darker and more intense, while others fade into the background. The paint is applied in layers, creating depth and texture that invites you to touch and feel the fabric. This piece reminds me of the work of Florine Stettheimer, who also found beauty in the everyday and celebrated the decorative arts. Like Stettheimer, Winter shows how art can be found in the most unexpected places. Ultimately, the work invites us to appreciate the ambiguity and openness of art, which embraces multiple interpretations over fixed meanings.