Study for a plate from The Triumphs of Temper, in the 1796 Royal Engagements Pocket Book c. 1795

Thomas Stothard created this drawing, a "Study for a plate from The Triumphs of Temper", for the 1796 Royal Engagements Pocket Book. The delicate work is rendered in graphite, imbuing the scene with a somber yet dignified atmosphere. The composition features the figure of Atlas, kneeling and straining under the immense weight of the globe. Stothard's use of line and shadow creates a powerful sense of depth and volume, emphasizing the burden Atlas carries. The compact dimensions of the drawing amplify the intensity of the moment, focusing our attention on the strained muscles and determined expression of the figure. Consider how Stothard uses this mythological subject to explore themes of endurance and resilience. The artist invites us to reflect on the weight of responsibility and the human capacity to bear immense pressure. Is this an allegory, or a reflection on the burdens of leadership and the strength required to uphold the structures of society? The drawing provides a space for considering these enduring questions.