This is one of what were called in the eighteenth century "fancy pictures," representing peasant children in rustic settings and inspired by the Spanish artist Murillo (1617–1682).
The sentiment expressed in them was pleasing to Gainsborough's contemporaries, who seem not to have remarked in the sitters' hollow-eyed, wistful expressions an undercurrent of deprivation. In 1814 one critic referred to them as the works "on which Gainsborough's fame chiefly rests."
Shopping lists, school notes or poems - 118 page spiral notebook with ruled line paper is a perfect companion in everyday life.
Durable printed cover makes owner proud to carry it everywhere.
.: Front cover print
.: 118 ruled line single pages
.: Black back cover