Study for a Little Girl Charles Samuel Keene (1823-1891)

Here we observe a graphite drawing depicting a young girl in full length. The composition is straightforward; the figure occupies nearly the entire vertical space, centered within the frame. Her posture suggests a moment of quiet contemplation or perhaps slight melancholy – her head is bowed and eyes closed, creating an impression of inward focus.
The artist’s rendering emphasizes line and form over tonal variation. Hatching and cross-hatching are employed to suggest volume and texture in the clothing, particularly around the frilled collar and sleeves. The dress itself appears simple but well-made, with a gathered skirt that hints at movement or fullness. A bonnet adorns her head, its folds meticulously sketched, adding detail and contributing to an overall sense of formality appropriate for a child’s attire.
The drawings simplicity lends it a certain intimacy. There is no background; the focus remains entirely on the girl herself. This lack of context encourages close observation and invites speculation about her identity and circumstances. The closed eyes, while potentially indicating sleepiness or fatigue, also suggest vulnerability and innocence. One might interpret this as an exploration of childhood’s fragility or a study in capturing a fleeting moment of quietude.
The drawings unfinished quality – the slightly rough edges and the lack of extensive shading – suggest it may be a preparatory sketch, a study intended to capture essential features before embarking on a more elaborate work. This preliminary nature contributes to its charm; it feels less like a finished product and more like a glimpse into an artist’s process of observation and creation.