[title not known] 

Editor: This is a pencil sketch from an album in the Tate collection; it’s by Lady Wharncliffe, born in 1776. It depicts a woman with her arms raised. What do you see in this drawing? Curator: I see a reflection of Neoclassical ideals, popular among aristocratic women. Her pose evokes ancient Greek dancers. How does the artist's social standing affect the image's purpose, do you think? Editor: It feels like a personal study, maybe for a larger composition. But her status definitely gave her access to certain visual languages. Curator: Exactly! This sketch reveals how elite women engaged with and circulated ideas about beauty and classical virtue. Editor: It’s fascinating to see how social context shapes even a simple sketch.