Collar c. 1937

Marie Famularo made this drawing of a collar at an unknown date, using what looks like graphite on paper. The obsessive detail in this thing is something else! The drawing describes a lace collar using only delicate graphite lines, which build up to describe the layers of tiny shapes that constitute the work. I love that Famularo leaves so much of the drawing as negative space, allowing the whiteness of the paper to define the fabric of the collar. It’s almost like she’s drawing the light around the object as much as the object itself. See how the scalloped edge is made up of hundreds of tiny marks. Each of these is so delicate that they seem to hover on the paper. Famularo's drawing reminds me of the work of Agnes Martin, who also used simple materials and repetitive marks to create a sense of calm and contemplation. Like Martin, Famularo invites us to slow down and appreciate the beauty of simplicity. It's a reminder that art doesn't always have to be loud or flashy to be powerful.