ID number: BIRBI-48.11 Institution: The Barber Institute of Fine Arts Artist / Maker: Ostade, Adriaen van (1610-1685) Title / Object name: The Child and the Doll Object type: Drawing
Place made: Haarlem Culture: Dutch Date made: before 1679 Materials: Pen and ink and watercolour Measurements: Sheet 110 x 92 mm; mount 557 x 408 mm Provenance: William Russell, (1800-84) mark on bottom right corner; His sale at Christie's, 11 December 1884, lot 396 bought by Tiffin; purchased by the Barber Institute at Sotheby's, 21 July 1948, lot 27, for £16
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In this gentle scene a family relaxes in the street, the mother and daughter playing happily with a doll. The quasi-domestic setting, including draped linen, cooking pot and toy doll foresee the little girl’s future as homemaker, wife, and mother. The drawing captures the balance in childhood between education and enjoyment promoted in Dutch 17th-century art. The woman is both playing with her daughter and teaching her the skills she will require as an adult. Van Ostade is renowned for his colourful, idealised, and often didactic, portrayals of peasant life.
Inscriptions / Translations: Signed l.l.: AV:O
Notes: The composition was etched in reverse by the artist in 1679. (See Inv. No. 48.16). The provenance given in Sotheby's sale catalogues, 'from the W. Rogers collection' is incorrect.
Exhibited: 'The Barber Goes North: Treasures from the Barber Institute', Abbot Hall Art Gallery, Kendal, UK, 15 October 2010 - 15 December 2010
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