Infant's Shirt c. 1937

This lovely Infant's Shirt was rendered on paper with graphite by Richard Whitaker. I love the soft grays he coaxes from the graphite. It's amazing how a simple palette can evoke so much tenderness and quiet. The drawing has this incredible, almost ghostly quality, right? The lace trim, meticulously drawn, feels delicate and ephemeral. See how Whitaker uses subtle shading to suggest the fabric's folds and contours? There's a real sense of care in each mark, like he’s handling something precious. The shirt itself seems to float, disconnected from any context, becoming almost abstract. It reminds me a bit of Agnes Martin's work, in the way she uses simple lines and subtle variations to create a sense of calm and contemplation. Both artists, in their own way, invite us to slow down and really see. It's not about grand statements, but about the quiet beauty of everyday things.