Bonnet c. 1936

Jessie Benge made this watercolour and graphite drawing of a bonnet; it’s an image that sings of soft hues, gentle touch, and the quiet beauty of everyday objects. There's a sense of immediacy in the washes and pencil lines, as if the artist were capturing a fleeting moment, a memory, or an impression. The yellow palette is so soft, it seems to glow, adding a layer of warmth and nostalgia. You know, watercolour has this amazing way of revealing the artist's hand; you can see the texture of the paper beneath, the way the pigment settles, all the little imperfections that make it so human and tangible. I’m drawn to the delicate rendering of the floral details of the hat. It reminds me a little of Manet, who also had a real sensitivity for the way light plays across surfaces. Like all art, it’s a conversation between the present and the past.