Parasol c. 1938

Marie Alain's watercolor presents three views of a parasol. The delicate paper support lends itself well to the intricate rendering of its form. Consider the material presence of this everyday object, and the labor involved in its manufacture. Parasols were once ubiquitous symbols of status. To produce them requires the coordinated effort of many hands: from metalworking for the frame, to textile production for the canopy, to lacework edging. Each element speaks to specific craft traditions, some more industrialized than others. These skilled processes have imbued the parasol with cultural significance. It is not simply a practical item, but a marker of social distinction. By depicting it in watercolor, Alain elevates it from mere utility to a subject worthy of artistic attention. This prompts us to reflect on the relationship between craft, industry, and the subtle ways in which value is assigned to objects and the people who make them.