Quaker Cape c. 1938

Melita Hofmann made this drawing of a Quaker Cape, but we don’t know exactly when or with what. It’s all about the subtleties, isn’t it? The restrained palette of browns and tans, the delicate rendering of fabric folds. Hofmann’s marks are so gentle; you can sense the slow, deliberate process. The way she builds up tone with these tiny strokes, it's like she’s caressing the paper. I love how the surface isn’t just flat; there’s a palpable texture. You can almost feel the softness of the cape, the way it drapes and falls. It reminds me of Agnes Martin's drawings, that same quietness, that attention to the simplest of forms. It’s like Hofmann is trying to capture the essence of this garment, its purity and simplicity. It’s not just a cape; it’s an idea about clothing, about modesty, about a way of life. It makes you think about how we construct our identities, how we present ourselves to the world. And ultimately, it’s a reminder that art can be found in the most unexpected places.