Dutch School Artist, Women and Child, 1805, Crayon Drawing

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Title: early 19th-century drawing – women and child with basket, c.1805 : charming and sensitively rendered early 19th-century drawing showing … Read more Title: early 19th-century drawing – women and child with basket, c.1805 : charming and sensitively rendered early 19th-century drawing showing a domestic scene with three female figures. A seated woman, barefoot and dressed in voluminous drapery, gently embraces a young child who reaches toward a rustic wicker basket. A standing woman looks on, wearing a striped skirt, shawl, and headscarf. The interaction between the figures conveys a warm, familial intimacy typical of early romantic depictions of rural life. This drawing is very likely the work of gerardus johannes verburgh (1775–1864), a dutch artist known for his genre scenes and studies of women and children. Verburgh was active in the early 1800s and often worked in red and black chalk or crayon, depicting everyday life with quiet elegance. The use of soft shading, confident contours, and a limited color palette are hallmarks of his style. Executed in black and red chalk (or crayon), this drawing belongs to a tradition of continental academic draftsmanship that bridged the 18th and 19th centuries. The technique mimics the warmth and depth of life drawing, and the carefully observed clothing and posture suggest both artistic skill and ethnographic interest. A faint handwritten note at lower right refers to the date 9 september 1805 and mentions meiningen, possibly indicating when or where the piece was acquired. This places the drawing firmly within verburgh’s early career. Drawings like this were often created as independent works of art, collected for their grace and naturalism, and sometimes used as preparatory studies. Today they offer valuable insight into the clothing, gestures, and domestic scenes of the time. Condition report: good overall condition for its age. The sheet shows light wear to the edges, soft creasing, and some scattered foxing, mainly in the margins. The image itself remains clean and well-preserved, with strong red and black tones. No restoration. Framing tips: this piece will display beautifully in a warm wood frame such as walnut, cherry, or natural oak. A cream or off-white mat will highlight the red and black tones while maintaining the drawing’s softness and warmth. Avoid heavy ornamentation to preserve the quiet character of the scene. Technique: red and black chalk drawing (possibly crayon) maker: attributed to gerardus johannes verburgh, the netherlands, circa 1805 See less