Wrapper c. 1937

Mary E. Humes made this drawing of a Wrapper with graphite and watercolor. Look at that frilly design! It’s a vision in soft blues and greys, like a daydream made visible. I can just picture Humes, pencil in hand, carefully mapping out each ruffle and ribbon, layering those delicate washes of color. Maybe she was thinking about the person who would wear it, wrapped in its cozy layers, feeling comforted. There's an intimacy to it, like a secret shared between the artist and the wearer. It reminds me of other designers and artists who explore the beauty and function of clothing, like Charles James. Here, each line communicates a feeling, not just an outline, but a sense of touch and presence, an everyday sort of beauty made art. Humes invites us to pause and appreciate the artistry in the ordinary.