Dress c. 1936

This drawing of a dress, by Jean Peszel, is a real testament to the power of observation and process. It’s hard to know exactly when it was made, but Peszel lived a long life, dying in 1995. Look at the blue of the gown, how it's built up with these delicate, almost hesitant marks. There’s a real tenderness in the way the colour is applied, as if Peszel is feeling her way through the folds and frills. See how the paper is allowed to breathe, letting the ground show through, especially in the white underskirt? Those delicate, stippled lines mimic the texture of fabric. The drawing reminds me of the fashion illustrations of Erté, all elegance and line, but with a more intimate, handmade feel. There’s a sense of someone really looking, really engaging with the subject, that makes the piece feel so alive. The artist is embracing ambiguity over making any kind of definitive statement.