Doll and Costume c. 1936

This is Mary E. Humes's "Doll and Costume," a watercolor and graphite drawing of a doll in a red and white dress. Hume's lifetime stretched from 1855 to 1995, a period of immense change in American culture, particularly for women. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, doll-making and dressmaking were acceptable creative outlets for women. But this artwork exists beyond simple craft, it can be seen as a subtle commentary on the social expectations placed on women. The doll is dressed in a domestic pattern, with a high neck, long sleeves, and a full skirt, embodying Victorian ideals of modesty and domesticity. But look at the doll's blank stare and the stark lines of the drawing. Does this imply a critique of the limited roles prescribed to women? The vibrant red accents offer a flash of rebellion. In its quiet way, "Doll and Costume" encapsulates a dialogue about identity, expectation, and the subtle ways in which women artists expressed their experiences. It evokes a sense of nostalgia, but also invites us to consider the constraints that shaped women's lives and creative expression during Humes's time.