Bag 1935 - 1942

Ann Gene Buckley created this watercolor titled 'Bag' sometime during her lifetime, which spanned from the mid-19th to the late 20th century. Buckley’s artistic journey reflects a period of significant change for women in the arts. While women had long been involved in decorative arts, their entry into the fine arts was often circumscribed by societal expectations and limited access to formal training. This piece, with its attention to detail and traditional craft elements, hints at the intersection of domesticity and artistic expression, which was a common theme for women artists of her time. The bag, adorned with delicate beadwork and embroidery, speaks to the historical and cultural context in which women's artistic labor was often relegated to the domestic sphere. Bags like these were not merely functional items but were also expressions of identity, status, and personal taste. This piece serves as a reminder of the complex interplay between art, gender, and everyday life.