Lady's Pelisse 1935 - 1942

Jean Peszel rendered this watercolor of a Lady's Pelisse, a fashionable outer garment, sometime during her lifetime, which spanned from the late 19th to the late 20th century. The pelisse, with its long lines and opulent fabric, speaks to the social codes of the era. Garments such as these were potent symbols of status, reflecting the wearer's place in the societal hierarchy. The colors are muted and the silhouette is concealing, but the soft sheen of the fabric hints at a hidden luxury. Peszel, born in 1855, would have witnessed seismic shifts in gender roles and expectations. This image, while seemingly traditional, invites us to consider the lived experiences of women during a time of immense social change. Was this pelisse a symbol of constraint or a statement of identity? This question remains suspended in the delicate washes of watercolor, urging us to consider the complexities inherent in clothing, identity, and representation.