Possible study for ‘The Spirit of Religious Liberty’ 1983

This is a preliminary sketch by American artist Edwin Austin Abbey (1852–1911) for his mural “The Spirit of Religious Liberty” (1900). The sketch depicts two figures, a nude female figure in the foreground and a cloaked figure in the background, likely symbolizing the concept of religious liberty. The sketch is rendered in white and peach chalk on a blue background. Abbey was known for his detailed and precise style, which is evident in this study.