Sheet of Studies c. 19th century

William Etty created this sheet of studies, now at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, at an unknown date using pen and brown ink. Etty lived in a time of immense social change, during which England saw the rise of industrialization and urbanization. The sheet presents multiple rapidly sketched figures which are reminiscent of classical sculpture. Etty was known for his history paintings, often featuring nude figures in dramatic scenes. Etty was something of an outsider in the British art world. His unidealized nudes were often criticized for their perceived lack of refinement. As a bachelor, he embraced a bohemian lifestyle which allowed him to explore themes of sensuality and mortality. Consider how Etty uses loose lines to create a sense of movement and energy, capturing fleeting moments of human drama. The sketches invite us to imagine the stories and emotions behind these figures. Etty said "In art, as in morals, I hold that no object in nature is impure". It challenges traditional notions of beauty, exploring the complexities of the human experience.