Bonnet Veil c. 1835

Sara Ann Reno made this Bonnet Veil, a delicate piece of lace, now held at the Art Institute of Chicago. Though we don't know much about Reno herself, her craft speaks volumes about the lives of women and their engagement with artistry in the 19th century. Consider this object not just as a beautiful textile but as a product of women's labor and creativity within the confines of their roles. Lace making was a common occupation, offering a form of income but also a space for personal expression and community. It was a means of participating in the economic and social life, even within strict gendered expectations. Imagine Reno, carefully crafting this piece, stitch by stitch. The act of creating, the choice of patterns, these were ways to imprint individuality on a utilitarian object. We can read the veil as a quiet assertion of identity, a subtle form of resistance, and a testament to women's artistic contributions often overlooked in grand historical narratives.