Wedding Bonnet c. 1936

Nancy Crimi made this Wedding Bonnet with watercolor on paper. I can imagine her poised with a tiny brush, mixing translucent washes of gray and cream to depict this delicate bridal accessory. Look at the gentle way the light falls on the ribbons, how they seem to float and cascade. There’s something so tender in the way Crimi renders the floral details. I imagine her thinking about love, maybe, or commitment. It makes me think about the paintings of Édouard Manet, especially his portraits of women with their subtle elegance and psychological depth. Though Crimi’s approach is more intimate, less formal, both artists share an interest in capturing a certain feminine grace. It’s like they’re in a conversation across time. And isn’t that what art’s all about?