A pair of most attractive original oval watercolours, each figure set against a rural landscape

1830. Unbound. Very Good. GOOD GIRL [and] GOOD BOY. A pair of most attractive original oval watercolours, each figure set against a rural landscape. The boy is depicted holding an open book, and the girl a bird's nest with young chicks, and a book in her basket. Both are very well dressed with fine clothes, shoes and hats. The drawings are signed J. Parkson del. and titled in the lower border. Both are in acid free wash line mounts. There are old tape marks to the verso, but no show through to the front of the watercolours. There is also early writing (struck through) on the back; the watercolours being painted on partially used sheets. Both are in fresh bright state, and of high quality. 170mm x 125mm (image size). c1830. ~ The convention of the good child, was first popularised in A Little Pretty Pocket Book, published by Newberry in 1767, which introduced Tommy, a Good Boy, and Polly, a Good Girl. By the early 19th century the phrase was incorporated into 'reward' pottery for children, often, as here, with a book, to indicate attention to learning.