Cotton Thread Scarf c. 1938

Walter W. Jennings made this Cotton Thread Scarf, though we don't know exactly when. It's a drawing, but look how he builds up the surface and tone with all these little hatched marks, repeating them and layering them, almost like he's building it up stitch by stitch. It's really interesting how the material qualities of the scarf are conveyed in the drawing. If you zoom in on the lace edge, you can almost feel the texture of the yarn, the way the light catches on those tiny loops. The way he uses shadow gives the drawing the illusion of depth, like you could reach out and grab the fabric. It's not about capturing an exact likeness, but more about evoking the feeling of the real thing. This piece reminds me of the work of Agnes Martin, with the way she would build up these subtle layers of tone, almost like a meditation. It's a reminder that art is always an ongoing conversation.