Study for ‘The Wise and Foolish Virgins’ 

This is a pencil study by Frederic Leighton for his painting ‘The Wise and Foolish Virgins’. The artwork presents drapery, likely to be used in the final painting. Leighton, who was president of the Royal Academy, was at the heart of the British art establishment. Here, we see the academic emphasis on preparatory sketches. It suggests that the finished painting required careful planning and a deep understanding of classical artistic principles. Leighton, like many artists of his time, was interested in the relationship between the aesthetic and the moral. The biblical story of the wise and foolish virgins lent itself to the artistic and social norms of Victorian England. It emphasizes the importance of prudence, piety, and vigilance. To understand this work further, we can consider the role of the Royal Academy in promoting certain styles and themes. We can also consider the religious and moral values prevalent in Victorian society. In doing so, we can see how this drawing reflects the cultural values of its time.