Study for a plate from The Task c. 1800

Thomas Stothard's "Study for a plate from The Task" (c. 1800) is a small, delicate drawing that showcases the artist's attention to detail. The design is a simple yet intricate border with a central flourish and two symmetrical motifs on either side, hinting at a larger, more elaborate work. The precise nature of the piece suggests its function as a study for a larger project, likely a plate for the illustrated edition of William Cowper's poem, "The Task." The Art Institute of Chicago currently houses the artwork, demonstrating its importance in the history of illustration and British art.