Original engraving after a painting by Spanish Baroque artist Bartolome Estaban Murillo, (1617-1682,) engraved by British printmaker Peter Lightfoot, (1805-1885.) the subject is a young girl, supposed by some to be the artist's daughter, with a rose tucked over one ear and a pile of flowers held in her woven shawl, with her youth and freshness embodying the spirit of Spring. Mat, approx. 17 1/2" x 15 1/4", sight approx. 9 1/2" x 7".
From the printed notice on the back of the mat: " 'The Spanish Flower-Girl,' by Murillo, is one of his most graceful works. it belongs to his first period, and is, perhaps, the most loveable icture of his series drawn from every-day life. The flower-girl, seated at the base of a column, is displaying her rose in the folds of a scarf, the end of which is carelessly thrown over her shoulder. Her prettily-modelled head is bound with a turban-like handkerchief, and a rose fastened in its folds lends additional interest to the innocent and winsome beauty of her face. Murillo excelled in the management of draperies, the graceful drawing of his figures, and the delicate modulations of his lights and shadows. These several characteristics of his style are well shown in this work, and also the general simplicity of his treatment. The original picture belongs to the Dulwich Gallery, Dulwich College, England, and its spirit has been very ably preserved by the skilful handling of the engraver, Mr. Lightfoot."