Child's Dress c. 1937

Al Curry, who lived from 1855 to 1995, created this design for a child's dress using graphite and watercolor. The composition presents a detailed rendering of a dress with a focus on its structure and embellishments. The soft pink hues, crisscrossed with darker lines, create a textured surface, while the strategic placement of black ribbons and lace accents highlights the garment's form. The artist accentuates the dress’s ruffles, bows and frills. The bows create focal points on the bodice and the back. Curry's formalist approach invites us to consider how design elements interact to produce a complex visual experience. The delicate lines and contrasting textures within the composition draw attention to the materiality of the garment itself. This rendering does not merely represent a dress; it conveys an understanding of form, function, and aesthetic through thoughtful construction and surface treatment.