Artwork
Nun Reading to a Child
Nun Reading to a Child is a drawing by the Romanticist artist David Wilkie. It dates from 1835 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Nun Reading to a Child is a drawing created by David Wilkie in 1835. It is a sketch depicting a quiet moment between a nun and a child.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing shows a woman in a dark hooded robe sitting with an open book, while a small child stands beside her, reaching out. The scene conveys a sense of intimacy and everyday life.
Technique & Style
The sketch is characterized by loose, quick lines and subtle shading that suggests the folds of clothing and the woman's facial features. The overall effect is that of a rapid notation rather than a finished work.
History & Provenance
The drawing is part of the collection at the Cleveland Museum of Art. David Wilkie, a Scottish painter, held the title of Principal Painter in Ordinary to King William IV and Queen Victoria, and worked in London.
Artist & collection
Artist
Sir David Wilkie (18 November 1785 – 1 June 1841) was a Scottish painter, especially known for his genre scenes.
The Highland Family
Napoleon and Pope Pius VII at Fontainebleau in 1813
Self-Portrait
The blind violinist
Portrait of Daniel O'Connell as Governor of the National Bank
Portrait of the Artist's Brother, Captain James Wilkie (1784 - 1824)
The Irish Whiskey Still
The Artist's Sister, Helen Hunter, née Wilkie (1793–1870)
