Sugar Merchant's Suit 1935 - 1942

Henry De Wolfe made this lovely study of a 'Sugar Merchant's Suit' using graphite and watercolor, and, well, isn't it just the sweetest thing? I can imagine De Wolfe sketching away, carefully mapping out each crisp line and subtle shadow. The texture of the paper peeks through, grounding the ethereal quality of the watercolor. It’s like he’s trying to capture not just the suit, but also the essence of the person who might wear it. I wonder, was it a commission? Did he have someone specific in mind? The way the pale white suit pops against the gray backdrop reminds me a little bit of Manet and his use of light, how he was able to capture the fleeting effects of light on fabric and skin. And, you know, it’s funny how clothes can tell a story, how they become a kind of portrait of the wearer. It makes me think about how we all dress and what we're trying to say to the world.