Bonnet c. 1939

Frank M. Keane created this watercolor painting of a bonnet sometime before 1941. On the face of it, this is a simple image, perhaps a design idea for an article of clothing, but the bonnet itself is a cultural artifact. These were typically worn by women and girls in Western cultures, particularly during the 18th and 19th centuries, offering protection from the sun and wind. They were also associated with modesty and respectability. In the absence of further evidence, we have to be careful about generalizing too much, but it is worth noting the historical context of the artist. Keane was working at a time of rapid change in the United States. The rise of consumer culture meant that even everyday objects such as bonnets could take on new symbolic meanings. To understand this image better, we might look to sources such as fashion magazines and social commentaries from the period.