Lady's Pelisse c. 1937

Jean Peszel created this watercolour of a "Lady's Pelisse," sometime between 1855 and 1995. The composition is striking for its focus on form and materiality rather than the figure. The pelisse, a woman's long cloak, is rendered with meticulous attention to its sheen and drape. The artist uses subtle gradations of color to convey the texture of the fabric, emphasizing its weight and volume. The symmetrical arrangement, with the cloak's opening revealing a contrasting lining, creates a visual tension. The choice of muted tones, punctuated by the deep purple ribbons and cuffs, suggests a sophisticated understanding of color relationships. Peszel's approach destabilizes traditional portraiture by presenting clothing as the subject, rather than the wearer. This shift prompts questions about identity and representation, inviting us to consider how clothing functions as a signifier. The artist prompts a reconsideration of sartorial objects as carriers of cultural meaning.