Study for ‘Isabella the Catholic’ 

Edwin Austin Abbey made this study for ‘Isabella the Catholic’ sometime between 1852 and 1911. The drawing offers us a glimpse into the artist's process and the historical context that informed his work. Abbey, an American artist who gained prominence for his illustrations and paintings, often turned to historical subjects. Here, Isabella, the queen of Castile whose marriage to Ferdinand of Aragon unified Spain, stands as a figure of power, but also of the complicated legacies of colonialism and religious persecution. The drawing captures Isabella in a moment of contemplation or command, her gaze directed upward, embodying both authority and perhaps a sense of divine purpose. The artist's choice to depict Isabella reflects an interest in exploring themes of leadership, gender, and religious identity, all interwoven within the narrative of European history. How might the artist's own cultural context, steeped in Victorian ideals and the rise of American imperialism, have shaped his interpretation of Isabella's reign and the impact of her decisions?