Cape 1935 - 1942

Melita Hofmann made this drawing of a cape, and what grabs me first is the almost monochromatic palette and the dedication to describing texture. The cape itself is all soft velvet darkness, but then you get these tiers of fringe and lace, described with such careful lines, it's like she's trying to touch the real thing through the drawing. Hofmann isn't just recording an object; she's tracing the sensations it evokes. Look at the way the fringe hangs – each tiny stroke feels like a whisper. The whole thing has this quiet intensity, reminding me of Agnes Martin’s delicate grids and quiet mark-making. Both artists share this commitment to process, the way the hand moves and leaves its trace, transforming the simplest of things into something deeply felt. It reminds us that art isn't about answers, but about the endless possibilities of seeing and feeling.