Nightgown c. 1940

Marie Alain made this drawing of a nightgown with pencil on paper. It’s all soft whites and grays, capturing the delicate texture of the fabric and the intricacy of the lace detailing. I can imagine Alain at work, carefully rendering each ruffle and fold, maybe thinking about the person who would wear this nightgown, the dreams they might have while wearing it. The drawing has a tender quality, a gentle observation of domestic life. You can see the details, from the lacy collar to the scalloped edges, and there's almost a tactile sense—you can practically feel the soft cotton. The way the light falls on the fabric, the subtle gradations of tone—it reminds me of the quiet beauty in the everyday, something a lot of artists are thinking about. The drawing’s simplicity is its strength. It invites you to slow down, to appreciate the care and attention Alain brought to her craft.