Woman's Coat c. 1937

Curator: Hmm, an emerald dream… I see shadows of glamour and whispered secrets. Editor: This is "Woman's Coat," a watercolor and drawing by Mina Greene, created around 1937. It captures the elegant fashion of the late 1930s. These were challenging times, reflecting both the recovery from the Great Depression and the looming shadows of war. Fashion became a visual expression of both aspiration and restraint. Curator: I see the restraint! Almost austere, with that high collar and cloaked shoulders. It’s…deceptively powerful. Like an armor, but of velvet and shadow. Is it just me, or is there something theatrical about it? Editor: Theatrical is a great word! Greene likely understood the subtle politics of presentation, where clothing became a potent means of self-expression and aspiration in a society undergoing significant transformation. Garments in this era were highly curated for social mobility. Curator: So more than just looking chic...there’s ambition woven in the seams! I love the precision of the drawing married with the flowing, almost painterly washes of the watercolor. It's as if Greene’s captured not just the coat, but the very air of possibility surrounding the woman who might wear it. Editor: Absolutely. Also the details - Greene skillfully conveys the texture and sheen of the coat, giving us insight into the luxury garments increasingly accessible to a broader market through ready-to-wear manufacturing in the pre-war years. It is so visually appealing while saying so much. Curator: It’s amazing how something as simple as a coat can tell such a rich story. Thanks for peeling back its layers! Editor: My pleasure. Hopefully our listeners will see that every item in a museum has some complex connection to the human story.