Nightgown c. 1938

Rex F. Bush made this drawing of a nightgown, we don’t know when or with what, but it's a lovely design, all in gentle off-whites, creams, and pale blues. Bush wasn’t so interested in the actual garment as a piece of clothing, but rather as a shape, a pattern, a collection of lines. Look closely, and you’ll see the subtle variations in tone, the artist's hand moving lightly over the paper. The details like the delicate lace trim and the little floral sprigs around the collar show Bush’s gentle, careful touch. It reminds me of Agnes Martin’s subtle use of line. Notice how the shadow on the sleeves is slightly darker than the rest of the gown, adding a sense of depth to the piece. It almost looks like it's floating, dreamlike. It's a very tender and personal object, which embraces ambiguity.