Galahad Departs, study for The Quest of the Holy Grail 

This watercolor study, "Galahad Departs," by Edwin Austin Abbey is a preparatory sketch for the artist's larger work "The Quest of the Holy Grail." It depicts Sir Galahad, a knight of the Round Table, riding away from a group of people. The composition is simplified, with just the figure of Galahad and his horse emphasized. The study's loose and gestural brushstrokes suggest a sense of movement and momentum, further enhancing the narrative of departure. The watercolor medium gives a sense of immediacy, capturing the artist's initial ideas for the larger composition. Abbey was known for his illustrations of Arthurian legends, and this sketch reflects his masterful rendering of figures and scenes from medieval times.