The artwork titled “Copy of a Girl in Van Dyck’s portrait of The Wife of Colyn de Nole and her daughter” is a sketch and study piece created by John Ruskin in 1859. This work belongs to the Romanticism art movement and captures the delicate features of a young girl with an expressive and contemplative demeanor, rendered with meticulous attention to detail characteristic of Ruskin’s artistic style.
In the artwork, the young girl is depicted with a soft and gentle expression, her eyes gazing to the side in a manner that conveys pensiveness. Her attire, suggestive of historical costumes with its intricate folds and textures, is rendered in a subtle palette that emphasizes the tender and serene mood of the piece. The background is composed of darker, more abstract strokes that draw attention to the girl’s illuminated face, underscoring her innocence and introspection. Ruskin’s careful use of shading and line work demonstrates his proficiency in capturing the emotional depth of his subject, honoring the original inspiration by Van Dyck while infusing it with his own interpretive skills.
