Studies of Classical Temple Facades and Seated Female Figure [verso] 

John William Casilear created this pencil drawing, "Studies of Classical Temple Facades and Seated Female Figure," capturing the allure of classical antiquity. Dominating the sketch are temple facades and seated figures, alluding to a reverence for classical civilization. The figures, draped in classical robes, evoke a sense of timelessness. Observe how the seated female figure, likely a representation of an allegorical figure, holding a spear, recalls images of Athena, the goddess of wisdom and strategic warfare. This motif of the seated figure has appeared since ancient Greek sculptures. Notice the recurrence of classical architectural forms in later periods, particularly during the Renaissance and Neoclassical eras. Such motifs became a potent symbol of cultural memory and rebirth. The architectural precision of the temple facades is indicative of humanity's enduring quest for order and permanence. These forms tap into the powerful human desire to reconnect with the past. The drawing embodies a cyclical journey, where classical forms resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings across different times.