Figure Study, possibly for Margaret and Faust c. 1892

Edwin Austin Abbey's "Figure Study, possibly for Margaret and Faust" (c. 1892) depicts a woman in a flowing white dress, her face partially obscured by a large white hood. The figure study may have been intended for a larger work, possibly a painting or mural, and it reflects Abbey's fascination with historical subjects and his talent for capturing nuanced human expressions. This work likely inspired by the German legend of Faust, a story of ambition and temptation. Abbey's use of soft, muted colors and a painterly style adds a sense of melancholy and mystery to the composition. The study highlights Abbey's mastery of detail and his keen understanding of human emotion, which he translated into a dramatic visual statement.