Bessie Forman

American, active c. 1935

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This is a drawing of a historical dress design. The artwork depicts an 18th-century style dress with a floral pattern. The dress features a fitted bodice with lace trim along the neckline and cuffs of the long sleeves, and a voluminous skirt adorned with floral motifs. In the background, there's a simple line drawing sketch showing the back view of the dress, highlighting the design and pleats of the skirt. The presentation illustrates the craftsmanship and design intricacies typical of the period's fashion.
Bessie Forman, Wedding Dress, c. 1940, watercolor and graphite on paperboard, Index of American Design, 1943.8.414

Wedding Dress

Bessie Forman · c. 1940 · watercolor and graphite on paperboard ·  Accession ID  1943.8.414

The image shows an octagonal floral arrangement at the center with large blooms and leaves within a decorative frame. The color palette includes red, pink, yellow, brown, and green, with touches of blue and black accents. The octagonal frame surrounds the flowers and is embellished with symmetrical patterns, placed on a plain, light-colored background.
Bessie Forman, Sylvia Dezon, Printed Textile, c. 1940, watercolor and graphite on paper, Index of American Design, 1943.8.927

Printed Textile

Bessie Forman, Sylvia Dezon · c. 1940 · watercolor and graphite on paper ·  Accession ID  1943.8.927

The image displays a textile with embroidered patterns. Three birds surrounded by floral motifs are the main focus. The color scheme is primarily gray and off-white. The textile fills most of the image, with the birds and floral designs symmetrically arranged across it.
Bessie Forman, Bedspread, c. 1939, watercolor and graphite on paper, Index of American Design, 1943.8.2537

Bedspread

Bessie Forman · c. 1939 · watercolor and graphite on paper ·  Accession ID  1943.8.2537

This detailed painting shows a wooden side table with four legs and two drawers with round handles. White fabric with an abstract brown pattern hangs below the drawers of the table. The table is centrally positioned within the painting, with a checkerboard pattern design above it. The background is blank beige paper.
Bessie Forman, Sewing Table, c. 1939, watercolor, graphite, and gouache on paper, Index of American Design, 1943.8.10748

Sewing Table

Bessie Forman · c. 1939 · watercolor, graphite, and gouache on paper ·  Accession ID  1943.8.10748

This is a drawing of a long dress. The dress is depicted in a delicate, monochrome style with short, puffed sleeves, a square neckline, and a cinched waist. The hem is adorned with intricate embroidery featuring swirling patterns and leafy motifs.
Bessie Forman, Dress, c. 1938, watercolor, graphite, and heightening on paperboard, Index of American Design, 1943.8.1454

Dress

Bessie Forman · c. 1938 · watercolor, graphite, and heightening on paperboard ·  Accession ID  1943.8.1454

This is a drawing of a long dress. It shows a full-length dress from the back, with a fitted bodice extending into a full skirt. The sleeves are puffed at the shoulders and taper down to the wrists. The neckline has circular motifs, and there is a pattern at the hem resembling waves or scallops. The drawing highlights the structure and decoration of the garment.
Bessie Forman, Dress, c. 1938, watercolor and graphite on paper, Index of American Design, 1943.8.1513

Dress

Bessie Forman · c. 1938 · watercolor and graphite on paper ·  Accession ID  1943.8.1513

This is a drawing of an 18th-century gown. The gown features intricate floral embroidery, ruffled lace details, wide full skirts, a delicate bodice adorned with floral patterns, fitted sleeves with additional embroidery, and vertical lines on the fabric. The fabric appears to be light-colored with colored floral details.
Bessie Forman, Dress, c. 1938, watercolor and graphite on paper, Index of American Design, 1943.8.1541

Dress

Bessie Forman · c. 1938 · watercolor and graphite on paper ·  Accession ID  1943.8.1541

Drawing of garment patterns and sewing instructions. The page displays outlined shapes labeled with letters and numbers, showing patterns for different parts of a garment. Descriptions of each part are provided underneath in handwritten text, detailing sewing techniques and construction notes. The handwriting describes specific sewing instructions for assembling the pieces together, such as folding, stitching, and adding eyelets. The drawing suggests attention to the construction and design methodology of a tailored garment.
Bessie Forman, Dress Pattern, c. 1938, graphite on paper, Index of American Design, 1943.8.1457

Dress Pattern

Bessie Forman · c. 1938 · graphite on paper ·  Accession ID  1943.8.1457

This is a drawing of a shoe design. The image features an ankle-length shoe with a pointed toe and lace holes on the side. The shoe is drawn with shading to show its form. On the left, there are two smaller views of the shoe from the top and of the sole. The illustration is done on a plain background.
Bessie Forman, Woman's Shoe, c. 1937, watercolor, graphite, and gouache on paperboard, Index of American Design, 1943.8.1944

Woman's Shoe

Bessie Forman · c. 1937 · watercolor, graphite, and gouache on paperboard ·  Accession ID  1943.8.1944

The image shows a detailed drawing of a side-angled light-colored ankle boot with lace detailing along the side. The color palette consists mainly of light beige and soft gray tones. In the upper left corner, there are pencil sketches of the boot from top and side views, showing outlines and the structure. All objects are set against an off-white background.
Bessie Forman, Shoe, c. 1937, watercolor and graphite on paperboard, Index of American Design, 1943.8.1960

Shoe

Bessie Forman · c. 1937 · watercolor and graphite on paperboard ·  Accession ID  1943.8.1960

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