Man's Waistcoat c. 1942

Ruggiero Pierotti made this drawing of a Man's Waistcoat, and it feels like he’s delighting in the intricate pattern work. He isn't just showing us a waistcoat, but also the pleasure of patient mark-making. The drawing’s surface is a soft, powdery graphite, almost like velvet. Look closely, and you'll notice how Pierotti uses light and shadow to give the fabric weight and volume. The weave has a repeating pattern of diamond shapes. Each one is like a little puzzle, a microcosm of the whole garment. Notice how the light glances off the edges. It reminds me of Holbein's portraits, where every fold and button is rendered with loving detail. I think what links them is the idea that close observation is a form of meditation, a way of understanding the world through the things we wear. So, next time you get dressed, maybe take a moment to appreciate the artistry in your own clothes.