Figure Studies c. 1780s

"Figure Studies" is a work on paper by English portrait painter George Romney, dated to the 1780s. This work is a characteristic example of Romney's sketch style, employing loose, gestural lines to capture the form and movement of the human figure. The two figures are rendered in a highly expressive, almost spontaneous manner, revealing the artist's focus on anatomical study and the exploration of human form. This piece is likely a preparatory study for a larger, more finished portrait composition, typical of Romney's prolific artistic practice.