Drapery study for ‘Galahad Departs’ in The Quest of the Holy Grail mural series at Boston Public Library 

This is a preparatory drawing, or study, for the mural series *The Quest of the Holy Grail* by Edwin Austin Abbey, created for the Boston Public Library. The drawing depicts a female figure draped in fabric and rendered in charcoal on paper. Abbey, who was born in 1852 and died in 1911, was well-known for his illustrations and murals. This study highlights Abbey’s meticulous approach to detail, particularly his interest in depicting the folds and textures of clothing. This type of drawing is called a "drapery study", and it allows artists to experiment with the forms and patterns of cloth before applying them to a final work.