Bonnet c. 1937

Frank Nelson created this watercolor and graphite Bonnet. Nelson lived in a time when fashion began to reflect new social roles for women. The bonnet, a traditional symbol of feminine modesty and domesticity, here is reimagined. The straw bonnet is adorned with vibrant, plaid ribbons and stands in contrast to the somber, black ribbons. This piece perhaps seeks to capture the complex intersection of tradition and modernity in women's lives. Nelson’s delicate lines capture a sense of both constraint and freedom, hinting at the contradictions inherent in societal expectations of women. The bonnet, once a symbol of conformity, is transformed into an object of subtle rebellion, echoing the quiet revolutions happening in women's lives during that era. The work resonates with the push and pull between personal expression and social norms.