Robed figure, praying; study for The Quest of the Holy Grail mural series at Boston Public Library 1995

Edwin Austin Abbey made this sketch of a robed figure in prayer as a study for his ‘Quest of the Holy Grail’ mural series at Boston Public Library. Looking at it, I am reminded of how artmaking, like prayer, can be a form of devotion, a reaching out. See how the figure emerges from the page through the layering of marks? Abbey uses pencil to create a range of light and shadow, building up the form gradually. I find myself drawn to the hands, clasped tightly together, rendered with such care. The weight of the robe, suggested by the dense hatching, contrasts with the blank space in the centre, creating a sense of both presence and absence. It's like he's channeling something, working it out as he goes. Think of someone like Guston, later on, using simple means to convey profound emotions. It's not about perfection, but about process and feeling. Ultimately, art, like faith, is about the questions, not the answers.