Study for ‘Crusaders Sighting Jerusalem’ 1988

Edwin Austin Abbey made this study for ‘Crusaders Sighting Jerusalem’ with graphite on paper. Imagine him, almost like a method actor, getting into the mindset of these crusaders, figuring out how to capture the weight of their armour and the glint of hope in their eyes. Look at how he uses layers of hatching to build form and shadow. It's like he's mapping out the terrain, not just of the scene, but of his own understanding. The dense, scribbled areas give way to lighter, more open spaces, creating a dynamic contrast that draws you in. I can almost feel the pressure of the graphite on the paper. It reminds me of my own process, how each mark is a decision, a small step towards something larger. And it makes you wonder, what was Abbey searching for as he made this study? How does a study become a finished work, and what is lost, or gained, in the translation? It’s a conversation across time, Abbey speaking to us through his lines, and us responding with our own interpretations.