Artwork
A little girl in Quaker costume, holding a Bible or prayer-book
A little girl in Quaker costume, holding a Bible or prayer-book is a drawing by the Romanticist artist Isaac Pocock. It dates from 1810 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1810, Isaac Pocock's drawing depicts a young girl standing in the foreground, dressed in the distinctive attire of the Quaker faith.
Created in 1810, Isaac Pocock's drawing depicts a young girl standing in the foreground, dressed in the distinctive attire of the Quaker faith. She wears a white dress with a high collar and a wide-brimmed hat, holding a small book that likely serves as a Bible or prayer-book. Her hands are covered in light blue gloves, adding a subtle contrast to the otherwise muted palette.
The figure is positioned before a simple fence, with a faint church steeple visible in the soft, blurry background. The composition emphasizes the subject's modesty and piety through her upright posture and the restrained color scheme. This work reflects the early 19th-century British interest in genre scenes and religious portraiture, capturing the specific cultural identity of Quaker communities.
Pocock, known for his theatrical designs and historical paintings, applies a delicate touch here, focusing on the quiet dignity of the sitter rather than dramatic narrative. The drawing stands as a representative example of his ability to convey character through costume and setting, contributing to the broader visual documentation of religious life in Regency England.
Subject & Meaning
The figure’s plain white dress, high collar and wide‑brimmed hat identify her as a member of the Religious Society of Friends, whose attire emphasized modesty and simplicity. By presenting the child with a sacred text, the drawing underscores the importance of personal piety and education within Quaker culture, reflecting the community’s focus on inner spirituality rather than external ceremony.
Technique & Style
Executed in water‑colour, the drawing employs loose, sketchy lines that convey a sense of immediacy and unfinished charm. The palette is restrained, dominated by pale blues, whites and gentle greys, while delicate shading suggests the texture of the dress and the faint outlines of the surrounding architecture. The overall effect is one of quiet observation rather than detailed realism.
Context
Quaker portraiture in the 18th and 19th centuries often highlighted the group’s characteristic plainness, avoiding ostentatious detail. This drawing aligns with that tradition, presenting the subject in a modest setting that reinforces the values of humility and devotion central to Quaker identity during a period when visual representations of the sect were relatively rare.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Isaac Pocock drew Quaker life at the turn of the 1800s, often capturing quiet moments like the one in A little girl in Quaker costume, holding a Bible or prayer-book, finished between 1803 and 1818.
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