Isabella and Mariana Kneeling Before the Duke 1822

"Isabella and Mariana Kneeling Before the Duke" (1822) by Robert Smirke depicts a scene of two women kneeling before a nobleman, likely a Duke. The artwork appears to be a sketch or study, done in brown wash, with the figures appearing more as outlines than fully realized forms. The drawing captures a moment of subservience, highlighting the power dynamics of the time through the women's postures. Smirke, a renowned artist of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, is known for his historical paintings and portraits, which often explored themes of power and social hierarchy.