Waistcoat c. 1937

This 'Waistcoat' was made by Jean Peszel, likely in the late 19th or early 20th century, with colored pencil on paper. What strikes me is the meticulous quality of Peszel’s mark making: the controlled hatching in grey and blue which gives the garment its volume and texture, offset by the regular rhythm of gold dots. There’s a palpable sense of care and attention in the way the garment is depicted. The surface is relatively smooth, the artist favouring delicate marks over bold, expressive gestures. It’s interesting to compare this to a detail by Gustav Klimt, who was active at a similar time. Peszel and Klimt both share an eye for pattern and ornamentation, and a fascination with the interplay of surface and depth, but Klimt's work has a much bolder, more decorative quality, whereas Peszel’s is altogether more understated and intimate. Ultimately, both artists reveal the power of art to transcend the everyday, inviting us to see the world anew through their unique visions.