Quaker Bonnet c. 1937

Hedwig Emanuel made this drawing of a Quaker bonnet, likely with watercolor, sometime in the twentieth century. The earth-toned palette gives the piece a calm, almost antique feeling. It’s like seeing a memory, faded but still present. The artist's delicate touch is especially evident in the subtle gradations of color that model the form of the bonnet, particularly in the crown and the ribbons. The way the artist used soft edges around the bonnet gives a sense of volume and depth, while the simple linework of the smaller sketch is really charming in its simplicity. It’s all about the process of observation and translation. I’m reminded of the work of Agnes Martin, who also used soft colors and simple forms to create works that are both calming and subtly powerful. Like Martin, Emanuel shows us that sometimes the most profound statements are made with the quietest voices. What do you think?