Study for Festival c. 1875

Edward John Poynter made this sketch, with graphite and red chalk on paper, as a study for a larger festival scene. Poynter lived and worked during a time when the British Empire was at its peak, and his art often reflected an idealized vision of historical grandeur. In the sketch, the draped figures evoke classical antiquity, a period often seen as the foundation of Western civilization, yet what we often fail to see is how these idyllic images of perfectly draped figures have an impact on contemporary fashion, influencing the creation of garments, and the promotion of cultural ideals. The draping of cloth, hiding the human form beneath, may be a comment on the female body, at a time when women were expected to be modest and pure. Yet the flowing lines and soft textures also celebrate sensuality. As you look at this sketch, ask yourself how historical representations shape our current understanding of beauty, and how this affects our experience of the world around us.