Study for central figure in ‘Spirit of Religious Liberty…guiding the ships’ mural at the state capitol building in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 

This charcoal and chalk drawing by Edwin Austin Abbey is a study for the central figure in his mural "Spirit of Religious Liberty…guiding the ships," located at the state capitol building in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The drawing captures the figure's dynamic pose and the artist's preliminary exploration of light and shadow. This preparatory sketch showcases Abbey's masterful understanding of the human form and his use of expressive lines to convey movement and emotion.