Crepe Bonnet c. 1938

Francis Law Durand made this drawing of a crepe bonnet, and what strikes me is how meticulously he has rendered it. I imagine the artist in quiet contemplation, observing every fold and curve of the bonnet. The monochromatic palette focuses our attention on the textures and forms. You can almost feel the soft, yielding fabric through the careful shading and delicate lines. Notice how the light plays across the surface, creating depth and volume with subtle gradations. I wonder what Durand was thinking as he drew? Was he simply recording an object, or was he trying to capture something more—the essence of a bygone era, perhaps? Whatever his intention, he has transformed a simple bonnet into an object of quiet beauty and intrigue, sparking our curiosity. Artists borrow ideas and techniques, building upon one another's creative foundations, and sharing them with us, the viewers. The artist has left his or her mark on this work, and now it's our turn to make of it what we will.