Riding Habit c. 1936

Marie Mitchell made this watercolor painting called Riding Habit sometime in her lifetime, which spanned from the mid-19th to late 20th century. The blue dress commands the space, emerging smoothly with controlled and careful lines. Another garment lurks behind, in light sketch. The overall color is muted, not too loud, and it seems to be a study or design for a dress. I can see Mitchell figuring out how to represent these complex shapes in the way that she does. This artwork is very knowing. I’m thinking about a long history of artists who are inspired by each other and share each other's languages. It strikes me that Mitchell must have been in conversation with a whole community of artists, all trying to work this stuff out together. In the end, there is something generous about the way painters open up a space for ambiguity, allowing us to bring our own experiences and interpretations to their work.