People Portrait Drawings and Watercolors

Ruth Schloss (1922 Nuremberg - 2013 Kfar Shmaryahu), Two sitting old people, around 1990. Mixed media on watercolor paper, 24 cm x 32 cm, signed “Schloss” lower left and again in Heb...

A beautifully executed, Regency era portrait of an older woman in a lace mob cap. She is sporting the tight curls around her face, typical of this...

Bertha Corbett Melcher's The Sunbonnet Babies, with their flat, minimalist, semi-abstract, and symbolic style, are an early example of American Modernism/Surrealism by a lesser-known female artist/illustrator. The present work demonstrates a delicate balance between abstraction and representation and between the commonplace and the mysterious. Her signature use of a hat or sunbonnet to hide the identity of her subjects is a big conceptual and visual idea that has been overlooked in the fine art canon. The exact meaning of this is unknown, but 120 years after they were done, it resonates as somewhat surrealistic. Her work is a contradiction. She shows innocent children engaging in everyday activity but are depicted in vail of mystery. Why does she not show the faces of her subjects? Watercolor on paper (each) Six drawings in all on one board. 6-1/8 x 5 inches (15.6 x 12.7 cm) (each) One signed; two initialed; three not signed. Six drawing in all on one board. 6-1/8 x 5 inches (15.6 x 12.7 cm) (each) One signed; two initialed; three not signed The Sunbonnet Babies characters were created by illustration Bertha L. Corbett when she was challenged to create a faceless character who nonetheless was engaging and appealing. The characters were a wild hit and appeared in books, comics, and popular collectibles. They also became a popular motif in quilting. Few of Corbett's original drawings for the babies are known to survive, making this a rare offering. From: Wikipedia Sunbonnet Babies are characters created by commercial artist Bertha Corbett Melcher (1872–1950). Sunbonnet Babies featured two girls in pastel colored dresses with their faces covered by sunbonnets. Sunbonnet Babies appeared in books, illustrations and advertisements between the years of 1900 and 1930. Sunbonnet Babies were later used as a popular quilting pattern also known as Sunbonnet Sue.[1] Melcher created a male version of the Sunbonnet Babies, named the 'Overall Boys' in 1905.[2][3] History Bertha L. Corbett Melcher Sunbonnet Babies were created by Bertha Corbett Melcher (1872–1950).[4] Melcher was born in Denver and moved with her family to Minneapolis in the 1880s. Melcher attended art school in Minneapolis with plans to become a commercial artist.[5] She may have also studied with Howard Pyle.[6] By the 1920s, Melcher had moved to Topanga, California.[7][4] Melcher started drawing the Sunbonnet Babies in 1897. The origin of the signature style of the faces being covered by sunbonnets is contested by different members of Melcher's family and by Melcher herself. In an interview, Melcher's brother said their mother suggested Bertha avoid the difficulty of drawing faces by covering them with sunbonnets.[4] Melcher herself said that covering faces allowed her to communicate with body position.[4] Melcher has also said that the design came about in "answer to a friend’s challenge to convey emotion without a face."[2] Melcher published her first book, The Sun-Bonnet Babies in 1900.[3] Later, she shopped her illustrations to publisher Rand McNally of Chicago, and nine subsequent books were written by Eulalie Osgood Grover and illustrated by Bertha Corbett. In 1905, Melcher wrote The Overall Boys.[3] Many of these books were used as primers and used widely in primary schools in the midwest. Melcher used the sunbonnet babies in advertising and later established the Sunbonnet Babies Company. She started a studio to illustrate and create merchandise of the Sunbonnet Babies.[2] The characters also appeared in a comic strip.[2] Quilting Melcher herself did not originate the use of the sunbonnet babies as quilting pattern. The Sunbonnet Babies quilting pattern appeared in textile art 1910's in the Ladies Home Journal 1911–1912 in a quilt stitched by Marie Webster. The pattern was popular during the Great Depression. In the American South, it was often known as "Dutch Doll" until the 1970s.[3] There was also a quilt pattern based on the "Overall Boys," known by the various names including “Overall Bill, “Overall Andy,” “Sunbonnet Sam,” “Suspender Sam,” “Fisherman Jim."[3] Many patterns for quilts and sewing were designed by Ruby Short McKim and published in nationally syndicated newspapers.[8] Sunbonnet Sue became symbolic of 'female innocence and docility'.[9] Linda Pershing collected accounts from women quilters who depicted 'Sues' doing activities such as smoking, wearing more revealing clothing, and subverting feminine stereotypes.[10] In 1979, the “Seamsters Union Local #500," a group of quilters from Lawrence, Kansas, created “The Sun Sets on Sunbonnet Sue," a quilt depicting the character murdered in a variety of ways.[3] Collectibles Sunbonnet Babies merchandise includes school books, valentines cards, postcards, china, and quilts.[2][5][11] Sunbonnet Babies were adapted into three dimensional porcelain collectibles and pottery made by Royal Bayreuth Company in the early 1900s. The Royal Bayreuth China...

A charming watercolour portrait of a young girl with big eyes and cherubic lips. The painting is presented in an incredibly pretty oval frame with a pale pink mount. The frame has or...

A beautiful early 20th Century (c. 1930-40) watercolour of impressive size. The scene shows a beautiful mother with dark hair in a Pre-Raphaelite style dress in pink and green, holdi...

In this study, Matania has used terracotta-coloured chalk to depict two figures caught deep in the act of drawing. The artwork is signed in the lower left and is well presented in a ...

An expressive drawing by the Russian artist Samouil Nevelshtein, depicting a portrait of a young pioneer camp leader. The Young Pioneer camps of the Soviet Union were a place where c...

With watercolour wash. Well presented in a contemporary black frame and white card mount. Unsigned. On tissue paper.

A very fine pastel study of a young boy by the Italian artist Franco Matania . He is captured wearing a sun hat and polka dot handkerchief around his neck. Well presented in a blue c...

An inscription on the reverse reads 'Girl in festive costume. Nizhny Novgorod Province, second half of the 19th century.' The artwork is also neatly monogrammed, signed, and dated. W...

A charming charcoal drawing by the artist Peter Collins, depicting a short-haired figure. Unsigned. Well-presented in a grey on white double card mount and in a simple contemporary b...

Vintage Charcoal Portrait of a Sleeping Man in an Overcoat c.1940 Charcoal on paper - Signed illegibly in the lower right corner Dimensions...

A charming full length watercolour portrait of a young boy, scruffily dressed with crumpled trousers and unlaced shoes. the carries a satchel over his shoulder and scratches his head...

A striking male portrait in black India ink. The painting has been presented in a contemporary black frame with a white card mount. On thin chin colle.

Never No. 4, Original Contemporary Figurative Watercolor Painting, 2022 20" x 16" (HxW) Watercolor on Cold Pressed Watercolor Paper A modern impressionist portrait with splotches of color coming together to form the figure, this portrait by Elizabeth Becker...

The loose brushstrokes and minimal graphite outline of this unknown female convey a sense of calmness. She is painted in muted browns and matted in a heavy mat measuring 16h x 14w inches. This artwork is unframed. Contact gallery for framing request. Eduardo Alvarado Lady Watercolor and pencil on paper 11.50h x 10.75w in 29.21h x 27.30w cm EDA009 EDUARDO ALVARADO b. Spain, 1972 EDUCATION 1990-95 Licenciado en BB AA La Facultad de BB AA de la UPV, Bilbao La Facultad de BB AA de San Fernando, Madrid SOLO EXHIBITIONS 2018 Casa del Libro, Logroño 2016 Casa de Cultura. Miranda de Ebro 2015 Casa de Cultura. Miranda de Ebro Galería Espiral, Noja 2014 Galerie d´Art Anne Broitman. Biarritz, France 2013 Galería de Arte-Centro Cultural (junto a Vesna Pavlovic). Novi Sad, Serbia Centro Cultural La Vidriera, Maliaño The Gallery of Contemporary Fine Arts (junto a Vesna Pavlovic). Nis, Serbia 2012 Gallery Seasons (junto a Vesna Pavlovic). Sofia, Bulgaria Gallery SKC (junto a Vesna Palovic). Belgrado, Serbia Manos para qué os quiero. Logroño Galería Espiral. Feria Internacional de Arte Contemporáneo, Santander Sala Asociación Artistas de Guipuzcoa (junto a Juan Carlos Cardesín), San Sebastian 2011 Galería Espiral, San Miguel de Meruelo Galería Jovan Popovic (junto a Vesna Pavlovic). Opovo, Serbia Galería Veciti Trkac (junto a Vesna Pavlovic). Nis, Serbia Exit Art Gallery (Fundación Adolfo Dominguez...

A characterful portrait showing a man, with folded arms, looking satisfied while looking off into the distance. The artist has used a very unusual dry brush technique to give the gou...

A fine portrait by the listed British artist Peter Collins. With graphite detail. Very well presented in a contemporary black frame with double card mount. Unsigned. On wove.

A turn-of-the-century portrait of a woman in stylised French 18th-century dress, a fleur-de-lis proudly emblazoned on her blue cloak. Presented in an arched gold card mount and an or...

A finely detailed and expertly executed sanguine portrait of a characterful woman in a high-necked, Edwardian dress. The artist has captured the intensity of the sitter's personality...

A charming portrait depicting a young girl holding a white dove close. The artist captures the girl in a vibrant blue shawl that matches the colour of her eyes. The romantic style of...

A fine oval portrait by the listed British artist Richard Hollingdale (1850-1899). The composition depicts an elderly Victorian lady in a flamboyant lace cap and collar. Hollingdale ...

A wonderful portrait of a young woman by the listed British artist Peter Collins. Very well presented in a contemporary black frame with double card mount. Unsigned. On wove.

Albert Paul Guilmet (1879-1922) Portrait of a man, signed upper left charcoal on paper 26.5 x 33,8 cm Framed : 43.5 x 52 cm Little is known about Abert Paul Guilmet, apart from th...

A remarkably vibrant mid 19th Century portrait of three young children, seated on the grass under a bright blue sky. The two older children sit behind the younger who wears a white d...

French School 18th Century, Le Rire, Laughter as a form of expression, Titled on the lower right "Le rire N°12" Black chalk on paper 43 x 29 cm In quite good condition, stains vsibl...

A fine portrait by the listed British artist Peter Collins. With pastel detail. Very well presented in a contemporary black frame with double card mount. Signed and dated. On wove.

Ernest LAURENT Gentilly 1859 - Bièvres 1929 Study of young woman in profile Red chalk Circa 1900 80 x 63 cm framed 54 x 39 sheet Beautiful antique frame in natural wood, probabl...

A charming portrait of a wide eyed young girl riding on her father's shoulders, holding a flower. The artist has initialed faintly to the lower left and the drawing has been presente...

A charming charcoal drawing by the artist Peter Collins, depicting a study of a short-haired woman. Unsigned. Well-presented in a white on black double card mount and in a simple con...

A fine modernist pastel portrait showing a stylish woman in a white coat and red shirt. The artist has signed to the lower right corner. There is a se...

A very fine watercolour study of a Victorian gentleman with a large beard. The artist has meticulously captured every detail of the sitter, with gr...

Inspired by the theatre world, Devie had retained her own unique drawing strokes. Her works reflect an approachable other-worldliness. She paints a story to be told and answered. Th...

This colourful portrait depicts the profile of a man wearing a blue tunic and a kufi. The artist captures the man in fine pastel detail, highlighting the h...

A beautiful mid 19th Century double portrait of two sisters, one leaning her head on her older sister's shoulder, the other leaning into her younger sibling with a supportive arm. The delicacy of the brushwork in the faces of the two girls is typical for water colorists of this period. The painting is unsigned and handsomely presented in a fine Louis XIV gilt frame...

A colourful and humorous gouache painting, showing a tired young woman lying on her carpet, in her Monday pants, with a cleverly altered Pot Noodle, waving a white flag. The artist h...

A vibrant full length portrait of a young women, walking her dog through a field of dandelion on a blustery summers day. The artist has signed to the lower right-hand corner. inscrib...

A beautiful mid 19th Century watercolour,showing a pretty young flower seller with dark hair and a corseted dress with linen undershirt. She is carrying a basket of delicate pink ros...

Christ is a modern artwork realized by Arturo Pagano in the 1980s. Watercolor drawings. Good conditions.

Artist: Raul Anguiano, Mexican (1919 - 2006) Title: Portrait of a Woman Year: 1964 Medium: Pastel on Paper, signed and dated l.r. Size: 31 x 22 inches Frame Size: 39 x 30 inches

A striking early 19th Century portrait in charcoal, showing an elegant young woman. Her dress and the style of her hair date this portrait around 1830. Her soft, sloping shoulders an...

A charming charcoal drawing by the artist Peter Collins, depicting a long-haired figure. Unsigned. Well-presented in a white on black double card mount and in a simple contemporary b...

A crisp and symbolic Persian School scene in gouache on cotton linen. The scene shows a religious figure, seated in a mountainous landscape, surrounded by animals and trees. The comp...

Leonor Fini Portrait, ca. 1960 Ink on paper 14.5 x 10 cm 5 1/2 x 4 in. 37.5 x 33 cm 14 1/2 x 13 in. (Frame included) Unique work Exhibition history: Leonor Fini: Small Faces, Apri...

An engaging charcoal drawing of a male figure wearing a flat cap by the listed British artist Peter Collins. Here, the artist has beautifully captured the sit...

Portrait is a modern artwork realized by Arturo Pagano in the 1980s. Watercolor drawings. Good conditions.

Portrait is a modern artwork realized by Arturo Pagano in the 1980s. Watercolor drawings. Good conditions.

Figure is a modern artwork realized by Arturo Pagano in the 1980s. Watercolor drawings. Good conditions.

Portrait is a modern artwork realized by Arturo Pagano in the 1980s. Watercolor drawings. Good conditions.

Original mixed media work on paper by Adam Baranello. Mixed media, acrylic, spray paint on canvas. Size 17 x 14 in. Offered unframed. Ships rolled Multidisciplinary artist Adam Ba...

Signed illegibly. Well presented in a contemporary wood frame. On watercolour paper.

Etude pour la Pologne is a modern artwork realized by Alfred Plauzeau in the Early-20th Century. Pencil Drawing. Good conditions.

James Van Fossan's "Presence" (2023) is an exquisite oil on linen painting that captures the tranquil beauty of a woman in a moment of quiet reflection. This 16 x 16-inch artwork, th...

A wonderful portrait of a young woman by the listed British artist Peter Collins. Here he has captured the sitter's effortless beauty with a small number of expressive pencil marks a...

An elegant and graceful study of a woman. Each miniature brushstroke is calculated and carefully crafted. The overall results are truly beautiful. Well presented in a wood frame with...

Inspired by the theatre world, Devie had retained her own unique drawing strokes. Her works reflect an approachable other-worldliness. She paints a story to be told and answered. Th...

Pastels render a cheery study of a red-nosed barkeep enjoying a drink. The artwork has been completed on a piece of olive green wove, allowing the vibrancy of the chalk colours to tr...

JEKATERINA GRYAZEVA Born in Latvia, Riga 1968 Education 1979 - 1986 J.Rozentals Secondary Art School (Riga). 1987 - 1993 Academy of Art (Riga, Latvia), department of Graphics,...

Well presented in a white card mount and contemporary black frame. Unsigned. On tissue paper.

A delicate and delightful graphite study of a young child, by a follower of Stephen Poyntz Denning (1795-1864). This study came from an album that was assembled in the 1940's by a c...