Four of these I found together, only one of them--this one--dated on the back, locating them all in 1873. It seems they may each have been done by a different school girl--all with a different name signed to the back, as well as a different subject named on the front. (Perhaps collected by a teacher?) A customer recently noted to me that naive drawings of this sort make her heart beat faster and the same is true for me, just pure joy, and also offering a strong and immediate sense of connection with the young girls who made them, who feel like sisters across time. And the painted skirt stripes and boots on this Laura are especially terrific. In a small period frame, she would really sing.
5 9/16 x 3 7/8 and in good antique condition, the portrait mounted to backing paper at the time of its making and signed Edna + Lirella, Carthage MO, 1873 on reverse.
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