Afternoon dress 1870 - 1875

This afternoon dress, of unknown date and creator, now resides at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, in New York. The dress is predominantly a dark wine color, accented with a vibrant, almost turquoise blue. Look closely, and one can see a curious detail: the bows. Positioned at the sleeves, bust, and skirt of the dress, the bows are symbols that echo across time. The bow, in various forms, is an ancient symbol, a knot signifying connection, commitment, and unity. Consider how the Herakles knot, a symbol of love and marriage, was worn in antiquity as an amulet. These knots, much like the bows adorning this dress, hold a visual presence far beyond their immediate context. Such motifs persist, and continue to evolve in our collective memory and subconscious. The bows in this dress reflect a deeper, human desire for connection and beauty, engaging viewers on a subconscious level. A reminder of the cyclical nature of symbols, always returning, transformed, and carrying echoes of their past.