Wedding Dress c. 1940

This wedding dress was envisioned by Bessie Forman, who lived from 1855 to 1995, and rendered in pencil and watercolor. Here, the application of color is skillfully employed to bring the envisioned dress to life on paper, the fabric of the dress is illustrated with a subtle sheen. The floral pattern adorning the skirt suggests either a labor-intensive hand-printed textile or a more efficient, mechanically produced brocade. Either way, the work hints at the social context of the wedding day, and how even in an intimate celebration, wider issues of labor, politics, and consumption are inherent. Note the overall effect of the artwork; the artist's hand is evident in the medium and its presentation. With its attention to detail, it invites us to consider the intricate labor and care that goes into the making of special garments. It challenges distinctions between fine art and craft, placing value on the material processes involved in creating objects of beauty and significance.