Artwork
Girl with a fan
Girl with a fan is a watercolor work on paper by the British Romanticist artist William Charles Thomas Dobson. It dates from 1864 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
This painting is called Girl with a fan. It's a portrait made in 1864.
The Victorian public liked portraits of young girls. They were often depicted in oil paintings, watercolours, and prints. This picture was described as having a roundness and sweetness that is never sensual.
You can learn more about the movement that influenced this work, such as Impressionism.
Overview
Girl with a fan is a watercolour portrait painted by William Dobson in 1864. It depicts a young girl in oriental attire.
Subject & Meaning
The subject is dressed in a turban and a striped silk brocade robe, items typically worn by men in 19th-century Arab societies, but here used to create an exoticised female figure. A contemporary critic noted the image's 'roundness and sweetness which is never sensual,' highlighting its idealised portrayal.
Technique & Style
The work is a studio piece, assembled using authentic props to evoke an oriental atmosphere. Dobson's use of watercolour showcases his skill in the medium.
History & Provenance
William Dobson, a prolific artist, initially focused on religious themes before turning to lighter subjects. He exhibited at the Royal Academy from 1842 to 1894, and this painting is an example of his later work, combining orientalism with portraiture.
Artist & collection
Artist
William Dobson painted quiet, detailed watercolors of everyday people in the 1800s.
