Man's Linen Collar c. 1937

Here is a watercolor of a "Man's Linen Collar" by Verna Tallman. The collar, with its starched appearance and precise lines, speaks of order and status, hallmarks of its time. The collar's form is reminiscent of the ruffs seen in Renaissance portraits—rigid circles framing the face, separating the individual from the chaos of the world. Here, though simplified, the collar serves as a potent symbol of social identity, echoing the historical significance of attire. Think of the evolution from the elaborate Elizabethan ruffs to the more subdued collars of the Industrial Age; each iteration marks a shift in cultural values, yet the underlying function remains. The plain linen and understated design reflect the era's transition toward practicality, but the very act of wearing a collar—a structured imposition—hints at the subconscious desire for control and definition in a rapidly changing world. This quest for order surfaces time and again, adapting its form to the anxieties of each age.