Straw Bonnet c. 1938

Francis Law Durand made this drawing of a straw bonnet sometime between 1870 and 1920. The image has an overall sepia tone; it's an observational drawing, precise and full of details. You know, I can almost feel Durand’s hand moving carefully across the paper. There is a real sense of the artist closely observing this object, trying to capture every little detail. I imagine Durand was interested in the interplay of textures: the rough weave of the straw, and the soft, draped fabric. It’s like he’s inviting us to consider the textures, and the way light plays across the forms. And I see a dialogue with other artists who have explored the beauty in everyday objects.