Featured Well executed charcoal drawing - when? where?

This showed up in my "close by" thrift this afternoon. Some water damage to the mat, but there doesn't seem to be any to the drawing itself. Was in a Nielsen type metal frame, behind "museum glass", which I've removed it from.

I love the drawing - the lighting, the feel, she seems to be exhausted from traveling, or perhaps just lost in thought. Maybe the bag next to her is packed and she's contemplating leaving...

I'm getting perhaps a 1940's vibe from this? There are some clues to the age I think in the clothing, furniture, and luggage. Anyone have any thoughts about age and perhaps where/who might have made this? No signature visible at this point. Planning on removing the mat soon but it has some very old tape on the back which i want to careful about removing.

The drawing itself is 14x19 inches. (35x48cm).

Thanks for your thoughts!

Out of the frame:



Before removing from frame:


The back - not sure if the drawing is on this board itself or on paper taped to the board, won't know till I remove the mat.

 

It does seem to be telling a story... kind of intriguing.

 

It appears to be an ink wash (sepia or faded red? maybe just brown) "drawing" first, with charcoal emphasis over that for darkening areas? Can you see any light pencil under the ink wash? I couldn't. It's professional, certainly. Possibly a sketch for a later painting? I have no clue who the artist might be, sorry. But yes, 40s, or 40s look, and very thought provoking indeed. A nice find!

 

I agree with Zinnie. It's a wash with dry pastel or conte crayon over top.

I also think this is a value study for a later studio piece. Looks like a train suitcase on the floor next to her...A bridge arm lamp...A skirt just below the knees. I'd say 1940s.

It's a pro piece all the way. Good one, aaron.

 

Conte crayon makes sense, thanks!

 

If it's sticking on the drawing, yes. Charcoal or pastel would smear or brush away easily. You may already know this tho.

 

When did they first come out with fixative for charcoal and pastel drawings?

 

It appears to be charcoal - I very lightly touched in the upper left corner and some black came off onto my finger.

 

Going to (respectfully) disagree. Think it's a bit earlier -- 1930s -- and illustrative rather than fine art. Very appealing.

Debora

 

Very nice, Aaron. And intriguing. It could be 30s, as Debora said.

I thought it was a hatbox, and a big trunk lower right, which could suggest a bigger trip. She just got bad news, so she can't leave?

That hat she has on looks a bit like an aviator's cap. Maybe for an open top car? If it is for an airplane, it is even earlier.

 

agree with Debora. the lamp shows signs of arts & crafts construction, similar to WAS Benson.

 

Think it's a little round train case. With larger trunk, means -- in story -- she's going far away and for a long time hence her demeanor.

Debora

 

or part of a drum kit and she's worrying how she will replace John Bonham ?

 

Is the blouse and skirt shades of gray? It doesn't look painted, which would suggest pastel sticks, if not. There are no rules, in terms of mediums used for this type of study...could be a combination of charcoal, pastel, conte, whatever.

Could have been done for a magazine or book illustration.

I may need to put my bifocals on...I thought that was hair.

 

lamp
http://www.archivedauctions.com/s/253314/j-barton-benson-pair-of/

 

Hat. She wouldn't have left home without one. Here's something (vaguely) similar.

Debora

 

Ah, thanks. I saw a quick artist interpretation for hair.

 

Is that a jacket hanging off the back of the chair? Looks a bit odd.

 

Does look to be a suit jacket.

Debora

 

Nice drawing and agree with Debora about being from the 30s. I get a social realism/ashcan school vibe from this. Hope you find more information once the mat is removed.