Petticoat c. 1940

Daniel Marshack made this drawing of a petticoat using graphite and watercolor. The garment, depicted in muted tones, presents a study in texture and form. Notice how the upper portion of the petticoat is rendered with soft, vertical strokes, suggesting a gathered fabric, while the lower section employs horizontal lines to mimic the intricate weave of a denser material. This juxtaposition of textures invites us to consider the garment not merely as an article of clothing but as a structured composition. Marshack's strategic use of line and form challenges conventional representation. The petticoat becomes an exploration of material and representation, asking us to reconsider the relationship between the object and its artistic depiction. The drawing prompts us to question fixed meanings and engage with new ways of thinking about form and perception.