Cathy Madox Brown at the age of three years 

Ford Madox Brown's sketch of his daughter Cathy at age three captures a delicate moment. The profile view, reminiscent of Renaissance portraiture, invites us to consider childhood innocence as a subject worthy of artistic exploration. The child’s gaze, directed towards the future, is a powerful symbol. We see this motif echoed through art history: from ancient Roman funerary busts, where a person's gaze indicates their aspirations in the afterlife, to Pre-Raphaelite paintings, where thoughtful expressions suggest inner worlds of emotion and intellect. The rendering of Cathy's hair, with its soft, flowing lines, recalls similar depictions in Botticelli's paintings. Over time, hair has been invested with meanings of beauty, freedom, and even rebellion. It engages us on a subconscious level, evoking a sense of tenderness. This humble sketch transcends a mere record of a child's likeness; it resonates with our collective memories and speaks to the cyclical nature of life, inviting contemplation on themes of childhood, memory, and the passage of time.