Pencil portrait of a young girl – 19th-century drawing study, signed

Pencil drawing of a young girl with long hair – academic drawing study

A fine pencil drawing of a young girl with long, loose hair, looking at the viewer over her shoulder. The draughtsman works with soft, fine hatching in the face and bolder lines in the hair and collar. Numbered ‘44.’ in pencil at the bottom and signed ‘P. Co…’ with a flourish at lower right (reading uncertain).

The number and the careful, classical execution point to an academic drawing study: in the 19th century, drawing pupils learned portraiture by copying model sheets and numbering their sheets. By the same hand we also have a portrait of a man in a cap (no. 7).

Why we chose this piece

The girl’s gaze is unusually direct and lively for a study sheet. It is a drawing with great softness and character.

Style and interior

Lovely in a classic or romantic interior, in a bedroom or above an old chest of drawers, or together with other portraits on a gallery wall. Also a fine pair together with the man’s portrait by the same draughtsman. Supplied unframed.

Dimensions: 17.4 × 22 cm
Artist: unknown; signed ‘P. Co…’
Technique: pencil on paper
Period: second half of the 19th century (estimated)
Origin: Western Europe
Condition: Good. The paper is lightly toned with a few small spots; the edges are somewhat irregular with a small nick at lower right (photo 3). Pencil is prone to smudging; framing behind glass is recommended.

Price:
€ 75

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