Wrapper c. 1937

Mary E. Humes made this drawing of a wrapper – a kind of dressing gown - with graphite and watercolor. It's all soft edges and gentle repetition, a real testament to the magic of process. Look at the way she renders the ruffles with tiny, almost hesitant lines. It’s like she’s feeling her way through the form, letting the pencil and brush lead her. The smattering of polka dots all over the gown, they give it this dreamy, almost floating quality, don't they? I think of them as tiny portals, each one hinting at some other hidden dimension, maybe one where all clothes are this comfy. The little blue ribbon at the neck is a really beautiful touch. It kind of grounds the whole thing, a little focal point in all that ethereal white, and reminds me a little of Manet. Humes’s image isn't just about documentation, it’s a tender, intimate, exploration of shape and colour. Isn't that what all good art is?