Study for Festival c. 1875

This charcoal sketch, titled "Study for Festival" and dated circa 1875, is a preliminary study by the English artist Edward John Poynter. The artwork depicts a single draped figure in two different positions, likely created as a study for a larger composition. The folds of the drapery are rendered with meticulous detail, suggesting Poynter's keen interest in the form and texture of fabric. This study exemplifies Poynter's approach to academic art, a style that emphasized precision and anatomical correctness. The Art Institute of Chicago houses this small but captivating study, offering a glimpse into Poynter's artistic process and the meticulous care he took in crafting his large-scale paintings.