Shaker Man's Costume 1935 - 1942

Editor: This drawing, "Shaker Man's Costume," made between 1935 and 1942 using pencil on paper, depicts an outfit with striking detail. The texture on the coat and pants feels incredibly lifelike, almost tangible. I'm curious, what symbolic significance might reside within these garments? Curator: Costume, of course, immediately speaks of identity, performance, and belonging. Here, this meticulous rendering invites reflection upon Shaker values of simplicity, utility, and spiritual purity. The absence of the figure is interesting, the garments rendered as an almost holy relic of lived experience. Notice the subdued palette - browns and blues that reflect humility and a connection to the earth. Editor: So, even the color choices themselves are symbolic, steering away from anything ostentatious. But what about the unfinished sketch on the right? Does that have any significance? Curator: Yes, the unfinished outline of the coat prompts consideration about time, process, and potentially the elusive nature of capturing the true essence of Shaker identity. It's also interesting how clothes often outlive their owners. In what ways, do you imagine, these garments represented their place in a community? Editor: I suppose clothing represented adherence to their beliefs but it also signifies being part of a collective, a uniform if you will, so perhaps individuality was suppressed, at least outwardly. I see the outline now as ghostly reminder. Thanks, I am looking at the drawing through an entirely different lens now. Curator: Exactly! These garments become imbued with the silent language of communal ideals, provoking reflection about faith, discipline, and memory through the symbols of attire. It truly reflects both social commitment and personal belief.