Bolero c. 1936

Editor: Here we have Josephine Romano's "Bolero," a watercolor and colored pencil drawing from around 1936. It’s… smaller than I expected. Like a fashion plate almost. What do you see in this piece, something beyond just a garment? Curator: Well, it whispers of theatre to me, of stage costumes and the artistry that elevates the everyday into something dazzling. It also captures a yearning, I think, a longing for maybe another life…the life lived on a stage? Do you see how the emerald of the bolero jacket practically vibrates against that yolk-yellow lining? And the embroidery, like constellations meticulously stitched onto midnight blue… Editor: Absolutely! The embroidery details are incredible, now that you mention the constellations. It's like capturing a piece of the night sky. But why just a garment? Curator: I suspect Romano saw it less as an object, and more as a portal. Clothes *can* do that, can’t they? We transform ourselves with what we wear, embodying different personas. Think about your favourite jacket – it is *just* warmth and covering? Or does it give you swagger and boost of confidence, almost becoming an amulet. It begs the question: who is the woman meant to wear it? What drama does she unfold? Editor: I get it. So, it’s about the potential, the story the bolero hints at rather than tells. It feels like a glimpse into a richer, more performative life. Curator: Exactly. And maybe even a reflection on the artist's own desires or imagined self. It reminds us that even the simplest drawing can hold universes. I think that is really why, after all these years, these simple items endure, capturing us with the same magic. Editor: This really makes you think about everyday objects in new ways. I didn't expect a drawing of clothing to contain so many layers.