Young Woman, Florence [recto] 1839

Seth Wells Cheney's charcoal drawing, "Young Woman, Florence", depicts a woman seated with her hands clasped and a contemplative expression, possibly a sketch from a live model during the artist's trip to Florence in 1839. The drawing, executed in a loose, expressive style, highlights Cheney's talent for capturing both the physical form and the inner state of his subject. The piece showcases Cheney's work as a skilled draftsman of figures and a burgeoning artist within the American art scene of the 19th century.