Hemd van linnen, handwerk c. 1888 - 1894

This is a linen shirt, handmade by G. Glas. Focusing on the material, we see the shirt is crafted from linen. The subtle texture and natural drape of the fabric speaks to its origin from the flax plant. Linen production is labor-intensive, from growing and harvesting the flax, to spinning the fibers into thread, and finally weaving the cloth. The shirt's construction, entirely by hand, is evidenced in the precise stitching and carefully finished seams. The buttonholes, the gathering at the cuffs, the set of the collar, all testify to countless hours of skilled labor and the handwork involved in producing this seemingly simple garment. Considering the social context, the shirt embodies the time and effort of its maker and the value of slow, deliberate production in contrast to mass-produced clothing. Appreciating the handmade quality, we can reconsider our understanding of value and the often invisible labor that goes into the objects that surround us.