Sunbonnet c. 1939

Manuel G. Runyan made this drawing of a sunbonnet, we don't know when, but he lived a long life! There is something so tender and careful in the making of this image, the light is so gently applied. The fabric is rendered with such care, each fold and pleat is visible. I can almost feel the texture of the fabric, the crispness of the brim. It is rendered with such subtlety and restraint, the variations in tone are barely perceptible, but they are there. The subtle shifts in color within the blue create a shimmering effect, the dots a counterpoint to the lines of the weave. The shadows cast by the bonnet are soft and diffuse, further adding to the overall sense of gentle light and quietness. It reminds me of Morandi, but with cloth instead of bottles. It's such a quiet, thoughtful piece.