Reticule 1937

John Cooke rendered this watercolor painting of a reticule, or small bag, sometime in the late 19th century. During this period, reticules were essential fashion accessories, and signifiers of femininity. Cooke's delicate rendering draws our attention to the reticule’s function as a highly gendered object. Beyond its practical use for carrying personal items, the reticule performed a crucial role in constructing and communicating a woman's identity. The reticule often became a canvas for expressing personal identity through its design. A reticule might carry overtly feminine patterns but could also act as a subversive canvas for women to express sentiments that would otherwise be repressed. The choice of materials, colors, and embellishments reflected a woman's taste, social standing, and even her political affiliations. Consider how a seemingly simple accessory could speak volumes about a woman's place in the world, and how she navigated the expectations placed upon her.