Cap 1935 - 1942

Editor: So, here we have Jessie Benge's "Cap," made between 1935 and 1942 using pencil. It's a simple subject, but there’s something really delicate about the rendering of the fabric and the lace. What do you make of this unassuming drawing? Curator: This piece speaks volumes about the constraints and expectations placed on women artists of the era. A humble domestic object, rendered with meticulous detail. How does this work fit into, or perhaps challenge, the broader art world norms of its time? Editor: I hadn't thought about it that way. So, the choice of subject matter becomes a statement in itself? Almost a commentary on the limitations imposed on women? Curator: Precisely. Consider also the context: 1935-1942, right before, during, and after The Great Depression. Artists working under the WPA and the realities of women's place in society meant making artwork that spoke to lived realities and the need to address the social and economic issues in an understated way. This is especially potent. Where does it circulate? How is it viewed? By whom? This helps tell the full story. Editor: It is definitely a very unique approach, because although some could say it just portrays one single fashion piece, it could also embody a more meaningful statement on the place of women in society at the time it was made, as well as its role as witness of the socioeconomic struggles of that period. I appreciate your expertise! Curator: And I value your insights, seeing beyond the surface of representation opens new horizons in any artwork!