Sonnet: "When I have fears that I may cease to be" 1887

Will Hicock Low created this ink and graphite drawing called "Sonnet: When I have fears that I may cease to be," at the turn of the 20th century. The drawing is named after a sonnet by John Keats, and it encapsulates a sense of existential contemplation. Low's aesthetic was shaped by the fin-de-siècle era, a time of cultural introspection and anxiety. The figure is rendered with androgynous features, loosely draped in fabric, standing on a precipice overlooking the sea. This evokes a sense of vulnerability and exposure to the immensity of nature and the passage of time. The figure’s inward gaze suggests a deep engagement with their own mortality, reflecting the anxieties of a rapidly changing society. The use of muted tones and soft lines further heightens the introspective mood. Low uses line and shade to create a dreamlike state, inviting us to reflect on the fleeting nature of existence and the profound impact of our fears.