Shirtwaist c. 1937

Harry Grossen made this watercolor drawing of a blouse, called 'Shirtwaist,' but we don't know when. What I find so striking is the way he repeats these tiny, almost microscopic marks, building up the pattern of the fabric in a way that feels both meticulous and obsessive. It's like he's not just drawing a blouse, but also mapping out a whole world of intricate details. Look closely at the way he uses color. The red is so vibrant and alive, but it's also layered with these subtle hints of grey, creating a sense of depth and texture. You can almost feel the fabric against your skin. And notice how he renders the light, especially around the sleeves, giving them this soft, pillowy quality. It makes me think about the human body, and how clothes both conceal and reveal our forms. This drawing reminds me a bit of the work of Charles Burchfield, who also had a way of finding the extraordinary in the everyday. Like Burchfield, Grossen invites us to slow down and really see the world around us, even in something as simple as a blouse. It's a reminder that art can be found in the most unexpected places.