Spats or Gaiters 1935 - 1942

This drawing of spats, or gaiters, uses only pencil on paper, making it a very direct record of this garment. Spats were worn over shoes and ankles, mainly in the 19th and early 20th centuries, to protect from the elements. The artist paid close attention to the way these pieces of protective gear were constructed; note the rows of stitching, and the fasteners at the side. These details show the hand of a maker, someone involved in the skilled work of garment production. There is also a social dimension to this drawing. Spats were mainly worn by men, particularly those in professional occupations. So, the drawing is a depiction of a specific kind of persona, and even carries implications about class and labor. By focusing on the materials, the making, and the context of such an everyday drawing, we can see that even the simplest image can tell us a lot about the world it comes from.