Artwork
Child holding a fan
Child holding a fan is a watercolor work on paper by the Impressionist artist Marchioness of Waterford Louisa Anne. It dates from 1876 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. Louisa Anne, Marchioness of Waterford, created a watercolour in 1876 that portrays a young girl holding a fan.
About this work
Overview
Louisa Anne, Marchioness of Waterford, created a watercolour in 1876 that portrays a young girl holding a fan. The work is signed and dated by the artist, confirming its authorship and year of execution.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on a child dressed in a vivid red gown, clutching a green fan and a modest bouquet. Light‑coloured hair peeks from beneath a dark shawl draped over her shoulders, while a muted, dark background isolates her figure, drawing the viewer’s focus to her poised yet informal stance.
Technique & Style
Executed with rapid, loose brushwork, the watercolour conveys a sketch‑like softness. The palette combines bright hues with a slightly unrefined finish, suggesting a spontaneous capture of a fleeting moment rather than a meticulously polished study.
History & Provenance
The painting bears the Marchioness’s signature and the date 1876, situating it within the late‑Victorian period. Its provenance traces back to the artist’s personal collection before entering public view, where it is now catalogued among similar works in the Victoria and Albert Museum’s holdings.
Artist & collection
Artist
Marchioness of Waterford Louisa Anne
Louisa Anne Beresford, Marchioness of Waterford (née Stuart; 14 April 1818 – 12 May 1891) was a British Pre-Raphaelite watercolourist and philanthropist.
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