Pocket Case or Reticule c. 1936

Rosalia Lane made this watercolour drawing of a pocket case or reticule sometime between 1870 and 1940. The drawing balances a desire for accuracy with a freedom to play with washes of colour and delicate pen lines. It’s like she’s thinking through making, but on paper. Lane’s drawing uses a gentle palette, the colours are muted and restrained. This gives it a beautiful, dreamlike quality. Look at the embroidered flowers on the main pocket – pale pinks, soft blues, and leafy greens. She captures the texture of the fabric, the way the light catches on the surface, with delicate hatching. Notice how she’s added shadows and highlights to give the impression of depth, a real sense of the object’s presence. The ribbons are particularly wonderful, tied in a bow. It reminds me a bit of the costume designs of the Ballet Russes. Lane was clearly interested in design, which is something that connects her to someone like William Morris, who was also interested in the decorative arts. Both artists remind us that art isn’t just about grand statements; it’s also about the beauty we find in the everyday.