Study for "Elkanah Watson" 1782

This preparatory sketch, drawn in 1782, is a study for John Singleton Copley's later painting "Elkanah Watson". The drawing, which is housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, shows a single figure, likely the subject, in standing pose. The figure's attire is depicted in detail, including a coat, trousers, and hat. The artist's use of loose, gestural lines in graphite conveys a sense of movement and dynamism. This study showcases the artist's meticulous approach to composition and anatomy, which was vital in his later, finished works.