Daniel Huntington (American, 1816–1906). <em>The Sketcher: A Portrait of Mlle Rosina, a Jewess</em>, 1858. Oil on canvas, 39 x 31 3/16 in. (99.1 x 79.2 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Transferred from the Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences to the Brooklyn Museum, 97.33 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 97.33_SL1.jpg)

Daniel Huntington (American, 1816–1906). The Sketcher: A Portrait of Mlle Rosina, a Jewess, 1858. Oil on canvas, 39 x 31 3/16 in. (99.1 x 79.2 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Transferred from the Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences to the Brooklyn Museum, 97.33 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 97.33_SL1.jpg)

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I wanted to know more about Mlle Rosina, the subject of this painting.

This work is actually a "portrait" in quotations because it isn't actually a portrait of the woman Mademoiselle Rosina. Huntington based this work on a favorite model.

The woman is intended to be an ideal figure, personifying the art of drawing and the spirit of creativity. This was something artists commonly did at the time -- portraying women as symbols of virtues or other abstract ideas.

What is she thinking and drawing?

Great question! The woman is intended to be an ideal figure personifying the art of drawing and the spirit of creativity. There seems to be a sketch of a palm tree on the page of her sketchbook, like a detail of a faraway landscape.

What is the relation with Brooklyn?

Daniel Huntington was a leading nineteenth-century American figure painter. Perhaps owing to its reference to art-making, Huntington chose this work to fulfill a commission from the fledgling Brooklyn Institute (the forerunner of the Brooklyn Museum), whose painting collection had been formally initiated in 1851.

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The Sketcher: A Portrait of Mlle Rosina, a Jewess

Daniel Huntington

American Art

On View: Luce Visible Storage and Study Center, 5th Floor

Daniel Huntington, a leading nineteenth-century American figure painter, based this “portrait” on a favorite model. He intended it to be an ideal figure personifying the art of drawing and the spirit of creativity. Perhaps owing to its reference to art-making, Huntington chose this work to fulfill a commission from the fledgling Brooklyn Institute (the forerunner of the Brooklyn Museum), whose painting collection had been formally initiated in 1851.

ARTIST Daniel Huntington, American, 1816–1906

MEDIUM Oil on canvas

DATES 1858

DIMENSIONS 39 x 31 3/16 in. (99.1 x 79.2 cm) frame: 51 x 43 1/2 x 4 1/4 in. (129.5 x 110.5 x 10.8 cm) (show scale)

SIGNATURE Signed lower right: "D. Huntington / Paris 1858"

INSCRIPTIONS Signed verso stretcher upper center: "painted by D. Huntington / Paris 1858"; inscribed verso stretcher upper center (in unknown hand): "The Sketcher--a portrait of Mlle Rosina, a jewess"

COLLECTIONS American Art

ACCESSION NUMBER 97.33

CREDIT LINE Transferred from the Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences to the Brooklyn Museum

EXHIBITIONS

First in Line: Preparatory Drawings for Paintings in the Collection

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in Luce Visible Storage and Study Center, 5th Floor

CAPTION Daniel Huntington (American, 1816–1906). The Sketcher: A Portrait of Mlle Rosina, a Jewess, 1858. Oil on canvas, 39 x 31 3/16 in. (99.1 x 79.2 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Transferred from the Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences to the Brooklyn Museum, 97.33 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 97.33_SL1.jpg)

IMAGE overall, 97.33_SL1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph

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RIGHTS STATEMENT No known copyright restrictions

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