Maud Humphrey “Dutch Girl” Original Watercolor — May Plate From the 1891 Calendar Series

Details

Description

An exceptionally rare original watercolor and gouache illustration by Maud Humphrey (American, 1868–1940), created for the 1891 Maud Humphrey calendar … Read more An exceptionally rare original watercolor and gouache illustration by Maud Humphrey (American, 1868–1940), created for the 1891 Maud Humphrey calendar — the celebrated series that established her as one of America’s foremost illustrators of the Victorian era.

This artwork represents the month of May, depicting a young Dutch girl in traditional costume, rendered with Humphrey’s hallmark delicacy and luminous palette. The child stands in a soft, pale background, wearing a blue‑and‑white dress with a coral bodice and rounded Dutch cap, holding a small bouquet of blue flowers — a motif symbolizing spring and innocence.

The piece is signed by Maud Humphrey in the lower right and retains its original composition as used for the published calendar lithograph. It is a fully finished production painting, not a study, and remains one of the few surviving originals from the 1891 set.

Medium: Watercolor and gouache on artist board
Date: 1891
Artist: Maud Humphrey (signed)
Subject: Dutch Girl — May Plate from the 1891 Calendar
Dimensions: [Insert framed and unframed measurements]
Condition: Excellent; colors remain vivid and unfaded. Minor age toning consistent with 19th‑century paper. Frame shows light wear.
Provenance: Private collection; original calendar production artwork.

Historical Significance:
The 1891 calendar series marked Maud Humphrey’s breakthrough as a professional illustrator, combining fine‑art technique with commercial appeal. Each month featured a child in national or seasonal costume, and the Dutch Girl for May became one of the most recognizable images of her early career. Humphrey’s work bridged Victorian sentimentality and emerging American modernism, influencing generations of illustrators — including her son, film icon Humphrey Bogart.

Why Collectors Value This Piece:

Authentic original 1891 calendar artwork
Signed by Maud Humphrey
Represents the May plate (Dutch Girl) from the published series
Exceptional condition and color preservation
Rare surviving example of her early professional work
Highly desirable among collectors of American illustration, Victorian art, and women artists See less