Bonnet c. 1937

Editor: This is Dorothy Gernon's "Bonnet," a pencil drawing from around 1937. It’s surprisingly delicate, and I’m struck by how carefully she rendered the texture of the straw and the ribbon. What can you tell me about this piece? Curator: Well, looking at this bonnet, I see more than just a fashion accessory; I see a signifier of identity, class, and the prescribed roles of women in the 1930s. Gernon's meticulous rendering of this object invites us to consider the social constraints and expectations placed upon women during this era. Who was expected to wear such a bonnet, and where? Editor: It seems like the bonnet might have belonged to someone fairly well-to-do, or perhaps a Sunday best sort of accessory? The ribbon looks quite decorative. Curator: Precisely! And what does the bonnet itself, obscuring the face, tell us about the visibility and agency of women in that period? Consider also how the craft traditions evident in the bonnet, like weaving and embellishment, intersect with gendered labor. Were these forms of artistic expression valued, or were they relegated to the domestic sphere? Editor: So you're saying this simple drawing can speak to larger issues about women's roles and the perception of their work? I never would have looked that deeply into it otherwise. Curator: Absolutely! Art, even in seemingly mundane objects, is always a reflection of its socio-political context. Gernon gives us a small object with outsized meaning. Editor: That really broadens my understanding of the artwork and what I initially assumed. I am walking away from this piece seeing and understanding something new. Curator: Exactly, by connecting art history with social theory, we unveil so much more!