Bonnet c. 1938

This drawing of a bonnet was made by Francis Law Durand; we don't know when exactly. It's a study in monochrome, capturing this object in delicate shades of gray. I am thinking about the hand that made it. I imagine Durand, pencil in hand, carefully building up the textures of the hat. I think of the gentle curves and the way the light catches on the ribbon. What was Durand thinking? Perhaps they were sketching this bonnet, trying to understand its form before creating a more elaborate painting. It reminds me that every mark, every line, carries an intention and a feeling. The act of drawing becomes a way of seeing and experiencing the world and a way of communicating with us, viewers, across time and space. When we look closely, we continue the exchange, adding our own layers of interpretation. Isn't it great how paintings allow for infinite meanings?