Who painted Girl on a Donkey?

Girl on a Donkey was painted by Isidore Pils in 1844.

Where can I see Girl on a Donkey?

Girl on a Donkey is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Girl on a Donkey?

Girl on a Donkey is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Girl on a Donkey

Isidore Pils , 1844

Girl on a Donkey is a drawing by the Romanticist artist Isidore Pils. It dates from 1844 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created around 1844 by French artist Isidore Pils, this drawing titled "Girl on a Donkey" is part of the collection at the Cleveland Museum of Art. The work presents a quiet, domestic scene in which a young girl is seated upon a donkey, both rendered with a calm, unhurried presence.

Subject & Meaning

The composition focuses on a solitary figure—a girl with a soft smile—riding a placid donkey. The gentle expressions of both figures convey a sense of tranquility and simple companionship, suggesting an everyday moment rather than a narrative episode.

Technique & Style

Pils employs careful line work to delineate the folds of the girl's clothing and the texture of the donkey's fur. Subtle gradations of tone create a soft, slightly hazy atmosphere reminiscent of the sfumato approach, lending the drawing a delicate, atmospheric quality.

History & Provenance

The drawing entered the Cleveland Museum of Art's holdings in the 20th century, where it remains on view. Its attribution to Pils and dating to the mid‑1840s are supported by stylistic analysis and museum records, confirming its place within the artist's early oeuvre.