Left Forearm and Hand n.d.

Elizabeth Murray made this pencil drawing of a left forearm and hand sometime in the 19th century. It may seem like a simple study, but drawings of this kind were an essential part of artistic training in Murray's time. In 19th century America, art academies, like the National Academy of Design, provided the primary venue for instruction. Here, students would spend hours copying prints and plaster casts before being allowed to paint from life. Although women like Murray were gradually admitted into such institutions, they often faced restrictions. For example, they were usually excluded from life drawing classes that included nude male models. Murray and her peers were part of a growing movement to professionalize artistic practice in America. By focusing on the conventions and institutions that shaped artistic production, we can better understand the challenges and opportunities faced by artists like Murray in a rapidly changing art world.