Who painted A Day-Dream?

A Day-Dream was painted by Haynes King in 1867.

Where can I see A Day-Dream?

A Day-Dream is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is A Day-Dream?

A Day-Dream is associated with British Romanticism.

Artwork

A Day-Dream

Haynes King , 1867

A Day-Dream is a watercolor work on paper by the British Romanticist artist Haynes King. It dates from 1867 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

Haynes King’s 1867 watercolour presents a solitary woman seated in profile on a plain wooden chair. She wears a muted grey dress with a white apron, her hands occupied by knitting. A blue skein has slipped onto the floor, while a modest interior—table with cloth, a fireplace with cooking vessels, and a wall‑mounted key— frames the scene.

Subject & Meaning

The figure appears absorbed in a quiet reverie, her expression calm yet distant, suggesting a moment of private contemplation amid domestic routine. The inclusion of everyday objects—a knitting project, kitchen implements, and a key—underscores themes of ordinary labor and the inner life of a woman engaged in simple, unremarkable tasks.

Technique & Style

Executed in delicate watercolour, King employs soft, muted tones and gentle washes to convey the subdued atmosphere. Fine brushwork renders the texture of fabric and the sheen of the blue yarn, while the light entering through a small window is suggested by subtle gradations, reinforcing the work’s realist inclination toward truthful, unembellished representation.

History & Provenance

Created in 1867, the piece reflects King’s interest in genre scenes of Victorian domesticity. While specific ownership records are scarce, the work has been catalogued among his watercolours that document everyday life, illustrating the artist’s consistent focus on modest interiors and the quiet moments within them.

Artist & collection

Artist

Haynes King

Haynes King (December 1831 – 17 May 1904) was an English genre painter. Apart from genre subjects, he painted interiors, landscapes, and coast scenes with figures.