Night Cap c. 1937

Cora Parker drew "Night Cap," probably with graphite on paper, sometime in her long life. I’m drawn to the almost ghostly appearance, achieved through subtle gradations of tone. It’s an image of something soft and yielding, yet rendered with such precision. Look at the way she’s handled the embroidery, those little floral details, each one meticulously described. I wonder what Parker was thinking as she drew? Was it a labor of love, a meditation on domesticity, or simply an exercise in observation? The way the shadows define the form, the delicate ruffles, and the gentle curve of the fabric—it’s as if she’s trying to capture not just the object itself, but its very essence. I’m reminded of Agnes Martin’s quiet, meditative drawings, which also find beauty in simplicity and repetition. Artists are in an ongoing conversation, and in this piece, Parker shows that profound statements can emerge from the most unassuming subjects. The image remains open, receptive to our own interpretations.