Dress c. 1937

Jean Peszel made this dress design, probably on paper, with paint, but it's difficult to date exactly. The off-white dress material is laid down in smooth strokes, like a memory of fabric, and then festooned with lacy white patterns. It's as if the dressmaker has dreamed up these patterns in their head, and then delicately applied them, or instructed someone else to apply them, to the material. The way that the sleeve balloons, and the skirt widens, give a real sense of freedom. The whole image has a quiet, meditative feel that suggests the artist was thinking through the garment's possibilities rather than just documenting its design. I am reminded of the pattern paintings of Agnes Martin, which use repetition and a subtle palette to create space for contemplation. Like Martin's paintings, this dress design shows how art can be found in the everyday, and how simple forms can be used to create complex and beautiful effects.