Who painted Study of the boy with his finger in his mouth for Sunday Morning: Walk from Church ?

Study of the boy with his finger in his mouth for Sunday Morning: Walk from Church was painted by Richard CB, RA, ARA Redgrave in 1845.

Where can I see Study of the boy with his finger in his mouth for Sunday Morning: Walk from Church ?

Study of the boy with his finger in his mouth for Sunday Morning: Walk from Church is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is Study of the boy with his finger in his mouth for Sunday Morning: Walk from Church ?

Study of the boy with his finger in his mouth for Sunday Morning: Walk from Church is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Study of the boy with his finger in his mouth for <i>Sunday Morning: Walk from Church</i>

Richard CB, RA, ARA Redgrave , 1845

Study of the boy with his finger in his mouth for <i>Sunday Morning: Walk from Church</i> is a drawing by the Romanticist artist Richard CB, RA, ARA Redgrave. It dates from 1845 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

This is a pencil and chalk drawing from 1845. It’s a study for a boy with one finger in his mouth and a hat in his left hand.

Redgrave used black chalk for shadows and white chalk for light to shape the figure.

This drawing leads to his painting Sunday Morning: Walk from Church at the same museum.

Look up the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Overview

This 1845 drawing by Richard Redgrave serves as a preparatory study for the figure of a boy depicted in his later painting Sunday Morning: Walk from Church. Executed in pencil with black and white chalk, the sketch captures the child in three‑quarter profile, his left hand holding a hat while his left index finger rests in his mouth.

Subject & Meaning

The study focuses on a youthful figure, rendered with a casual gesture that suggests innocence and contemplation. The pose, with the finger in the mouth, was likely intended to convey a moment of quiet thought or idle habit, aligning with the leisurely atmosphere of the Sunday morning scene.

Technique & Style

Redgrave employed a combination of graphite pencil for the basic outline and black chalk to model shadows, while white chalk highlights define the illuminated areas of the boy’s face and clothing. This contrast of dark and light creates a three‑dimensional effect within the limited medium.

History & Provenance

Created in 1845, the drawing was part of Redgrave’s preparatory process for his 1846 oil painting. Richard Redgrave (1804–1888) was a leading Victorian artist and the inaugural curator of the South Kensington Museum, now known as the Victoria and Albert Museum, where both the study and the finished painting are held.

Context

During the mid‑nineteenth century, Redgrave frequently produced detailed sketches to plan compositions for larger works. This practice reflects the academic training of the period, emphasizing careful observation and the gradual buildup of form before committing to canvas.