Who painted My Poor Sweet Little Angelica?

My Poor Sweet Little Angelica was painted by Lilly Martin Spencer in 1801.

Where can I see My Poor Sweet Little Angelica?

My Poor Sweet Little Angelica is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is My Poor Sweet Little Angelica?

My Poor Sweet Little Angelica is associated with Romanticism.

Can I buy a print of My Poor Sweet Little Angelica?

Museum-quality prints of My Poor Sweet Little Angelica are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

My Poor Sweet Little Angelica

Lilly Martin Spencer , 1801

My Poor Sweet Little Angelica is a graphite drawing by the Romanticist artist Lilly Martin Spencer. It dates from 1801 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:lower right in graphite: My poor sweet litle Angelica / She took the cup of life to sip / but bitter 'twas to drain / She meekly put it from her lip / and went to sleep again

About this work

Overview

Lilly Martin Spencer’s drawing My Poor Sweet Little Angelica dates from 1801. Executed in graphite on wove paper, the work presents a solitary portrait of a young girl. The composition is restrained, centering the child’s face within a modestly sized sheet, and the overall effect is one of quiet intimacy.

Subject & Meaning

The figure depicted is a youthful girl rendered with a gentle expression, suggesting innocence and kindness. While no narrative context is provided, the title’s affectionate phrasing and the softness of her demeanor invite a personal, perhaps sentimental, connection between the sitter and the viewer.

Technique & Style

Spencer employs a limited graphite palette, relying on simple linear contours and subtle shading to model the face. The drawing’s surface shows a modest gradation of tone, reminiscent of the sfumato approach, where edges are softened to create a delicate atmospheric quality without extensive detail.

History & Provenance

Created in the early nineteenth century, the piece reflects Spencer’s practice of producing modestly scaled portrait drawings for private circulation. Its survival on wove paper indicates careful handling, though specific ownership records prior to its inclusion in the present collection are not documented.

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Artist & collection

Artist

Lilly Martin Spencer

Lilly Martin Spencer was born in Exeter, England, on November 26, 1822, to French intellectual parents who supported abolitionism and women's education.