Mitt 1935 - 1942

Lillian Causey made this work, called Mitt, with watercolor and graphite, but its exact date is unknown. The image of the arm clad in a lace glove feels like an invitation into a private dressing room, or perhaps a glimpse into the artist's process. The hand itself is so delicately rendered with the barest blush of watercolor on the nails and knuckles. The lace, though, is where the magic happens. Look closely, and you will see the weave of zigzags and floral motifs, captured in incredible detail. Causey's touch is light, almost as if she were tracing a memory. The tassels dangling at the side feel like an afterthought, a whimsical addition that softens the formality of the lace. It's as if she’s saying, "Art doesn't always have to be perfect. It can be playful, too." It reminds me a little of Florine Stettheimer, with her playful, almost naive take on high society, but there’s something more intimate here. It's about touch, texture, and the quiet pleasure of making something beautiful.