Robed figure, praying; study for The Quest of the Holy Grail mural series at Boston Public Library 1995

Edwin Austin Abbey made this drawing, a study for his murals at Boston Public Library, with graphite on paper. Look at how Abbey’s lines build up the figure, creating dark shadows and bright highlights. You can imagine Abbey in his studio, wrestling with the composition, trying to capture the essence of devotion and supplication, right? I feel like I’m there with him. The pressure of a big commission, the weight of art history, and the sheer, joyous struggle to make something meaningful. His lines aren’t precious. Some are sketchy, searching, and others are confident and bold, really digging into the paper. The texture of the paper itself plays a role, giving the drawing a tactile quality, like you could reach out and feel the grain. And the light! It’s like a spotlight on the figure’s face and hands, drawing you into that private moment of prayer. It reminds me of other artists who’ve captured that quiet intensity, like Käthe Kollwitz or even some of the early Renaissance masters. Artists are always building on what came before, right?