Study of an Elderly Woman for ‘Disobedience Discovered’ c. 1797

James Ward created this drawing of an elderly woman with graphite on paper as a study for his larger work, ‘Disobedience Discovered.’ The drawing presents us with an intriguing study in contrasts. Note the stark juxtaposition of light and shadow. Ward masterfully employs this contrast to define the contours of the woman's figure and the folds of her clothing, creating a sense of depth and volume. The composition, though simple, is carefully structured. The woman is seated at a table, her figure framed by the chair's elegant curves. The asymmetry of her pose lends the piece a dynamic quality, preventing it from becoming static. It also directs our gaze across the image from left to right. The rough texture of the graphite adds a tactile dimension to the drawing. This emphasizes the materiality of the work and allows us to appreciate the artist's process. It also imbues the image with a sense of immediacy, as if we are witnessing the artist's hand at work.