Artwork
Sketch for the oil painting 'Private and Confidential'
Sketch for the oil painting 'Private and Confidential' is a watercolor work on paper by the Impressionist artist Joseph Clark. It dates from 1875 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Joseph Clark painted this watercolour in 1875 as a study for his oil painting. It shows young girls sharing secrets in a schoolroom. He often used family members as models.
Before finishing oils, Clark made careful drawings and expressive watercolours. This sketch helped him plan "Private and Confidential," shown at the Royal Academy.
Check out more childhood scenes by Clark, Joseph.
Overview
This watercolour is a preparatory study for Joseph Clark's oil painting 'Private and Confidential'. Created in 1875, it showcases the artist's process of developing his compositions through precise drawings and expressive watercolours.
Subject & Meaning
The scene depicts two young girls sharing secrets in a schoolroom, likely modelled by Clark's daughters and their friend. The intimate moment captures a relatable aspect of childhood, a theme Clark frequently explored in his work.
Technique & Style
Clark's watercolour demonstrates his skill in capturing expressive figures and conveying a sense of quiet interaction. The study's loose style contrasts with the precise drawings he also made in preparation for his oil paintings.
History & Provenance
The watercolour is dated to 1875, the same year Clark exhibited the finished oil painting 'Private and Confidential' at the Royal Academy. The reverse of the sheet features a watercolour study for another oil painting, 'A Cheap Entertainment', exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1876.
Artist & collection
Artist
Joseph Clark painted small, delicate watercolors in the 1800s. His works include *A Young Girl Seated* (maybe his daughter “Poppie” at age 100 in 1926) and a sketch for *Private and Confidential*, both in soft washes.…
![A Young Girl Seated, [perhaps Annie Susan, known as Poppie, the daughter of the artist], by Joseph Clark](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/joseph-clark--a-young-girl-seated-perhaps-annie-susan-known-as-poppie-the--053607342d92fcb2-w320.webp)
