Question for artists, please, re drawing images

[Lisa in California]

A distant relative supposedly drew an image (a little girl holding an umbrella) c1912.  He drew roughly the same image in the early 1930s.  Might there be any way to determine if he was the original artist of the 1912 drawing by comparing brushstrokes, small details, etc., or if he simply copied the 1912 image?  Thank you, Lisa

[Biggles50]

I asked my Wife who is an Art Historian.

Yes, but, was her response.

There are many factors affecting the style in which a work of art is created and coupled with the skill level of the artist concerned there may be similarities that can support a conclusion that two works are by the same artist.

Even renowned artists like Sir Edward Burne Jones produced multiple versions of his works that are similar, yet different, but most certainly by himself.  Checkout the three versions of The Light Of The World, one in Manchester, one in Oxford and one in the USA, they are all available to view online.

[Lisa in California]

Thank you very much, Biggles50, for your and your wife’s help.  The images that were suggested are beautiful.

Our little painting, of course, pales in comparison; it was just a sketch really but the family tale, I think, is interesting.  Perhaps with more research I might be able to determine if the story has any validity. Thank you again, Lisa.

[Andrew Tarr]

I'm not sure how you might hope to distinguish a later 'copy' from a later 'original' by the same artist, as the manner of brushstrokes would be similar in both.  Is there any chance that the earlier version was itself a 'copy' ?

(I am not an artist but both my parents graduated from the RCA and my father was in art education)

[Lisa in California]

I suppose I’m “clutching at straws” at this point as we’ve never been able to find the name of the artist of the c1912 drawing.

I’m sorry but I’m not quite sure what you are asking, but your question has me thinking of another possibility. The relative worked for an advertising agency, joining the agency prior to 1912.  Family members said that he drew the image as part of an ad campaign. (Through research, I’ve found out that the image was eventually used in 1914.)  But, thinking about your question leads to the possibility that he could have thought of the concept but didn’t actually draw it c1912; another artist in the agency could have been the artist during that time.  I hope that makes sense. 

I don’t think we’ll ever know if he had anything to do with the first image but I suppose it makes a great family story to pass down.  Thank you for your interest and question, Andrew.  Your question brought up a possibility that I’ve never considered.

[Andrew Tarr]

I’m sorry but I’m not quite sure what you are asking, but your question has me thinking of another possibility.

I suppose I am asking - accepting that both drawings are from the same hand - whether the later one was a true attempt to copy the original, or possibly to reproduce it from memory ?