Corset c. 1938

This drawing of a corset was made by Marie Mitchell, though we don't know exactly when. The rendering here is so interesting to me. There’s a real sensitivity in the depiction of this intimate garment. Look at the graphite or ink strokes that form the subtle shadows and folds. You can almost feel the tension and constraint it represents. I love the details like the lacing at the back - it looks like it’s been tightened, ready to shape the wearer’s body, and you can see the artist's hand, ever so gently pressing down on the surface of the paper. There's a similar feeling in the work of Agnes Martin, whose drawings share this feeling of quiet intensity, a softness combined with repetition. It’s amazing how a simple drawing of a corset can evoke so much about history, the body, and the way we experience the world. It leaves me with more questions than answers, which, as an artist, is something I value.