Baby Dress c. 1940

Cora Parker made this drawing of a baby dress, but when? The date is unknown, and that makes me think. What was she thinking when she made this? The drawing is so detailed and loving. You can see the way the fabric drapes and folds, the delicate lace trim, and the tiny buttons. It's almost like she's trying to capture every little detail of this dress, maybe as a way of preserving a memory. Maybe she was thinking about her own children, or maybe she was just drawn to the beauty of this simple object. The dress is white, which is the colour of purity and innocence, but it also suggests that the dress is old, even antique. It's easy to imagine the dress as a hand-me-down, worn by generations of babies. There is something so human and poignant about this drawing. It reminds us of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing the moments we have with our loved ones. Like all artists, Cora Parker is talking with us across time, inviting us into her thoughts and feelings.