Female nude study for ‘Moonbeams dipping into the sea’ 

Evelyn De Morgan created this nude study with chalk on brown paper as a preparatory sketch for her painting ‘Moonbeams Dipping into the Sea.’ De Morgan was working at a time when women were fighting for greater autonomy, challenging Victorian ideals of domesticity and submission. As a female artist, she navigated a male-dominated art world and questioned traditional representations of women. She often depicted women as spiritual, independent figures, imbuing them with agency and inner strength. This study presents a corporeal, rather than idealized, view of the female body. De Morgan’s choice to focus on the real, soft curves of the body pushes back against the restrictive beauty standards of the time. The figure is sensuous, yet without a male gaze. De Morgan once said, "It is only the love of the beautiful that I care about." Through this lens, we can consider how she sought to redefine beauty, emphasizing the emotional and personal dimensions of the female form. The study reflects the subtle, yet powerful ways that art can challenge societal norms and celebrate female identity.