Straw Bonnet c. 1938

Francis Law Durand rendered this 'Straw Bonnet' with graphite and gray wash, leaving it to float on a pale beige paper. It's an incredibly detailed study, almost like an engineer's drawing, but for fashion. The texture is so specific, you can almost feel the weave of the straw. Durand’s careful hatching describes the light as it wraps around the form, especially where it falls on that big bow. Look closely, and you can see the subtle gradations of tone in the fabric, achieved through delicate washes. The whole thing has a quiet, unassuming beauty. It reminds me a little of some of the meticulous drawings of utilitarian objects by the German artist Hilla Becher, or maybe a fashion plate by Andy Warhol before he went pop. There’s something deeply satisfying about the way Durand has elevated this everyday object to the level of fine art. It invites us to really look, and maybe even to reconsider our relationship to the things we wear.