#09100 The Leicester Galleries

Here we see a drawing depicting a young woman playing the violin. The monochromatic palette, rendered in shades of brown on what appears to be toned paper, lends a sense of intimacy and immediacy to the work. The artist has chosen to focus primarily on the figure’s upper body and the instrument itself, creating a vertical composition that emphasizes both the subjects posture and the act of musical creation.
The woman is positioned in profile, her gaze directed downwards towards the violin, suggesting deep concentration or perhaps melancholy. Her hair, rendered with loose, flowing lines, cascades around her shoulders, contributing to an overall impression of graceful vulnerability. The drapery of her garment – a gown secured by a large bow – is sketched with a fluidity that echoes the movement implied in playing the instrument. The fabric’s folds are not precisely defined, allowing for a degree of ambiguity and emphasizing the gesture over rigid form.
The violin itself is rendered with careful attention to detail, particularly in the depiction of its curves and the placement of the bow hand. Its positioned centrally within the composition, drawing the viewer’s eye directly to the source of the implied music. A separate sketch of a bow lies detached from the main figure, seemingly floating on the page; this element could be interpreted as representing the ephemeral nature of musical expression or perhaps a symbolic separation between the performer and the instrument.
The artists use of line is particularly noteworthy. The lines are not uniformly dark but vary in intensity, creating subtle tonal variations that suggest form and volume without resorting to shading techniques beyond the inherent color of the paper. This approach contributes to the drawing’s delicate and somewhat unfinished quality.
The inscription at the bottom right corner indicates a date – “1910” – which provides a temporal context for the work, suggesting it may reflect artistic trends or sensibilities prevalent during that period. Overall, the drawing conveys a sense of quiet introspection and an appreciation for the beauty and emotional power of music.