Man's Topcoat 1935 - 1942

Editor: So this is Alvin Shiren’s “Man’s Topcoat,” a drawing made sometime between 1935 and 1942. The texture looks almost like suede, and it appears very elegant, but maybe a bit austere for today's tastes. How do you interpret this work, particularly within its historical context? Curator: I think you're right to focus on its seeming austerity. Let's consider the dates first. 1935 to 1942 places this drawing squarely within the late Depression era and the beginning of World War II. Does that affect how we read it? Editor: Definitely. Maybe the somewhat muted tone and practical design reflect the economic hardships and the impending war? Fashion as a form of social commentary, perhaps? Curator: Precisely. And consider who likely wore such a coat. What kind of power did that person wield in that period? Furthermore, how might class differences or racial divides impact who had access to such a garment? The very notion of "topcoat" implies a certain level of economic comfort, and maybe even protection from the elements, both literal and metaphorical. Editor: So it's not just about the coat itself, but also about who could wear it and what that said about them within that society? Curator: Absolutely. We can explore the politics embedded within clothing. Whose stories are being told through fashion, and whose are being suppressed? Who designed it and for whom? Thinking intersectionally like that lets us unpack a lot! Editor: That’s a perspective I hadn't fully considered. Thanks, I’m seeing so many more layers now. Curator: The real reward is engaging with these pieces to create your own perspective!