Figure Studies 

John Linnell made this pencil sketch, "Figure Studies," in England sometime in the 19th century. The loose lines give us glimpses into Linnell's artistic process, his hand at work, capturing fleeting observations. But what might these figures tell us about the social landscape of Linnell's time? The clothing suggests working-class individuals, perhaps laborers or rural folk. During the 19th century, England underwent massive industrialization and urbanization, leading to shifts in social structures and class consciousness. Linnell, associated with the art collective known as The Ancients, was a staunch advocate of art’s capacity to connect with nature and a simpler way of life. Did Linnell intend to ennoble these subjects, or was he merely documenting types? Historians delve into letters, diaries, and social surveys to understand the meaning of such images. Art is not made in a vacuum, and such research can show us its place in a particular time and society.