Una fascina di olive

Artistic images idealising girlhood innocence were produced in large numbers during the Victorian period. A prevalent theme was that of the rural child, who was often viewed as a model of uncorrupted virtue and natural simplicity. Nothing is known about the model of this watercolour; its generic title merely alludes to the bundle of branches that the girl is carrying. William Dobson studied at the Royal Academy Schools in London and later in Italy and Germany. He made a name for himself as a painter of edifying religious works before turning to sentimental pictures of children – a fact lamented by critics.