Two Children with Bubble Gum Pastel Drawing by Francis

This item is a framed pastel or charcoal drawing depicting two young children in an affectionate pose, signed by 'Francis'. The artwork features a boy wearing a wide-brimmed hat, characteristic of a 'sombrero' style, looking towards the right side of the composition. He is shown with dark hair and a light-colored shirt, possibly beige or off-white. A circular, light-colored object, potentially a piece of bubble gum, is centrally located near his mouth, creating a slightly obscured view of his lower face due to a glare or reflection in the image. Beside him, a young girl with dark hair styled in pigtails or braids is looking directly forward. She has a darker complexion and is wearing what appears to be a blue-green scarf or shawl draped around her shoulders, with one arm affectionately placed on the boy's shoulder. The background is a plain, light brownish-tan color, providing a neutral canvas for the figures. The art style appears to be representational with a soft, somewhat idealized rendering of the children's faces and expressions. The signature 'FRANCIS' is clearly legible in the lower left corner of the artwork. The piece is housed within a simple, dark brown wooden frame, which shows some minor wear and tear, including slight scuffs or marks visible on the upper edge. The overall condition of the artwork itself appears good, with no obvious major tears, creases, or significant discoloration, though the light reflection in the center of the image makes a full assessment difficult. The drawing's style suggests it could be from the mid to late 20th century, possibly the 1960s or 1970s, a period when such sentimental depictions of children were popular. The craftsmanship is evident in the expressive faces and the delicate use of color (or lack thereof, save for the blue-green scarf).