Dress c. 1936

This drawing of a dress was made by Nancy Crimi, sometime during her lifetime from 1855-1995, using what looks like pencil and watercolor. The approach to the drawing and coloring is so delicate, almost tentative, and yet so sure in its overall composition. The material aspects of this work are immediately apparent, and create the emotion that the piece evokes. The surface is smooth, the colors are soft and muted, and the pencil lines are so thin that they create texture, rather than form. Take a look at the sleeve cuffs: the artist renders the lace by using light strokes, almost dots, giving the illusion of complexity without being overly detailed. It reminds me of Guston's late works, which embraced a similar form of raw mark making. Ultimately this dress is an exploration of form and design, and suggests how art is less about fixed meaning and more about an ongoing conversation across time.