Artwork
Study for the baby in 'The Peep 'O Day Boy'
Study for the baby in 'The Peep 'O Day Boy' is a watercolor work on paper by the British Romanticist artist David RA Wilkie. It dates from 1834 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Study for the baby in 'The Peep 'O Day Boy' is a watercolour sketch by David Wilkie RA, dating to circa 1834, now part of the Victoria and Albert Museum's collection.
Subject & Meaning
The sketch depicts an infant in a relaxed, supine pose with bent arms and curled legs, conveying a sense of serene, though slightly stiff, repose.
Technique & Style
Executed with loose, quick strokes, the work emphasizes simple shapes and smooth curves to define the baby's form, set against a faint, undetailed light wash background.
History & Provenance
Created around 1834, the sketch is a preparatory study for 'The Peep 'O Day Boy', currently housed at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Context
As a study, it reflects Wilkie's working process for his larger, more detailed compositions, such as 'The Peep 'O Day Boy'.
Artist & collection
Artist
Wilkie made watercolors and drawings that told detailed stories, often about real people and events.
