Bustle Dress c. 1939

Editor: This is Mina Greene's "Bustle Dress," a pencil drawing from around 1939. I'm struck by how delicate and detailed the rendering is. It feels like a relic of a bygone era, and I'm curious about the story behind it. What can you tell me about its historical context and perhaps the function this drawing served? Curator: It's fascinating to consider fashion drawings like this one as historical documents. Beyond its aesthetic value, how does this particular image connect to broader discussions about fashion, social class, and gender roles in the late 1930s? The “bustle dress” silhouette, of course, comes from an earlier era – late 19th century - yet the artist situates it within a newer cultural context, right before World War II. Why do you think someone would be creating this type of academic art for historical fashion? Editor: It's interesting you point that out. I guess it suggests a certain nostalgia for the past, maybe a desire to cling to tradition in a time of great change. Maybe such works are like idealized portraits for posterity. What else strikes you? Curator: Precisely. And let’s consider the economic conditions in 1939; not everyone could afford high fashion. Was this sketch intended for a wealthy patron, or perhaps as a design reference for a broader audience? Who gets to determine historical value and influence? This type of drawing allows one to imagine themselves dressing within a certain style, and the original drawing becomes the pattern for what could become “reality.” Editor: So, you're suggesting it could be both a reflection of societal values and a tool for social aspiration, allowing everyday people to see themselves as having influence in fashion? Curator: Absolutely! The “public role of art” is complex and sometimes goes beyond what one would typically think. This type of piece allows a glimpse into how social mobility can shape and reflect those times. Editor: That’s given me a whole new perspective. I'll never look at fashion drawings the same way again. It's incredible to think about how an artwork like this holds up the ideas around representation of status.