Dress 1935 - 1942

Melita Hofmann created this watercolor painting of a dress, its time of origin unknown, using paper and watercolor. The dress shown is made of luxurious materials. Its opulence is conveyed with great skill through the watercolor medium. The soft blending and layering of the paint mimic the drape and texture of the fabric, allowing us to imagine its feel. Hofmann clearly understands the labor involved in the production of such a garment, and, in turn, the social hierarchy that it represents. Every stitch, pleat, and embellishment speaks to hours of skilled work. We can only imagine the labor that went into both the making of the original dress, and Hofmann's painted rendering of it. By using the medium of watercolor, Hofmann elevated a fashion drawing into a statement on class, labor, and the artistry of dressmaking. This invites us to see beyond the surface and recognize the artistry embedded in everyday objects.