Cotton Vestie 1935 - 1942

Herbert Marsh drew this cotton vestie using graphite on paper. The drawing offers a detailed look at a garment, inviting us to consider the social and cultural values associated with clothing. Made in the late 19th or early 20th century, the vestie reflects a time when clothing was deeply connected to social status and gender roles. The delicate floral embroidery suggests femininity and refinement. It might also speak to the economic conditions that allow for such detailed work. This drawing highlights the relationship between fashion, identity, and labor. Looking at fashion plates and historical records, we can better understand how such clothing items were perceived and what they represented in their time. Ultimately, art like this is contingent on the social context in which it was made and viewed.