Ecclesiastical Vestment (back view) c. 1940

Syrena Swanson’s “Ecclesiastical Vestment (back view)” (c. 1940) is a watercolor painting depicting the back of a richly decorated vestment. The garment is a deep red with intricate embroidery of stylized flowers and butterflies in shades of pink, blue, and green. The embroidered details are framed by a wide brown band. The artwork exemplifies Swanson’s detailed approach to depicting textiles, capturing the texture and visual richness of the vestment. While the location of the original garment is unknown, the artwork provides a glimpse into the detailed craftsmanship of ecclesiastical attire from the early 20th century.