Bonnet c. 1936

Jessie M. Benge made this watercolor drawing of a bonnet at an unknown date. A bonnet such as this was more than a simple article of clothing; it was a statement about the wearer's social standing and adherence to societal norms. Looking at this image, we can think about the visual codes that such an item of apparel conveys. The bonnet, especially in 19th-century Western cultures, symbolized modesty, domesticity, and a woman's place in the private sphere. It reflected the strict social structures of the time, where women's roles were often confined to the home. Benge, who lived from 1855 to 1995, may have made this drawing as a comment on the changes in women's roles that occurred during her lifetime. Did she think that women should return to traditional values? Or was she excited about new possibilities for women? To truly understand this artwork, we can consult fashion history archives, social commentaries from the period, and biographical information about Jessie Benge. In so doing, we can understand better the meaning of this artwork, as contingent on social and institutional contexts.