Cape 1935 - 1942

Eleanor Gausser created this pen and ink drawing of a cape. Although the date of creation is unknown, Gausser lived through the Victorian era, both World Wars and the feminist movement. The cape in the drawing looks like it could be part of a religious order. Cloaks and capes were items of clothing common in the Victorian era. Although fashion changed as time went on, capes and cloaks were functional for most people because they were a way to keep warm. Although this drawing is simple, it shows the relationship between fashion, identity and history. The drawing develops an alternative narrative that presents an image of how the past can be interpreted today. It shapes our understanding of societal issues, while touching upon the personal dimensions of self-expression and history.