Portrait of Little Corbauld Charles Samuel Keene (1823-1891)

The drawing presents a young boy in what appears to be a formal outdoor setting. He is depicted seated, holding a walking stick and gazing slightly upwards with an expression that suggests a mixture of curiosity and perhaps mild apprehension. A large ball rests on the ground before him, partially obscured by his legs, suggesting he has just released it or is about to retrieve it.
The artist employed a loose, gestural line throughout the composition. The figure’s clothing – a coat with visible buttons and a small top hat – indicates a degree of social standing or an attempt at formality, which contrasts with the casual activity of playing with a ball. This juxtaposition hints at a possible commentary on childhood innocence within the constraints of societal expectations.
The drawings simplicity in terms of tonal range contributes to its immediacy. The lack of shading emphasizes the lines themselves, directing attention to the boy’s posture and facial expression. His slightly hunched shoulders and the way his gaze is directed upward suggest a vulnerability or perhaps an awareness of being observed.
There is a sense of fleeting observation captured here; it feels less like a posed portrait and more like a quick sketch documenting a moment in time. The drawings unfinished quality, with its sketchy rendering of details, lends a certain intimacy to the subject, as if we are privy to a private moment. The ball itself could be interpreted symbolically – representing playfulness, potential, or even the trajectory of life’s journey.