Head of an elderly lady; studies from Raphael’s Disputation 

Joshua Reynolds made this study of an elderly lady using graphite on paper, probably sometime in the 18th century. It is a preparatory sketch, from which Reynolds worked towards his larger paintings. You can see the pressure that he applied to the graphite stick, creating a range of tones. The quick, sweeping lines capture the light and shadow on the woman's face and clothing. While Reynolds was a highly successful portrait painter catering to the British elite, this drawing reveals a different side of his practice. It's a humble study of an older model, showing his interest in the human form beyond just idealizing the rich and powerful. This work reminds us that even artists known for grand, finished paintings, rely on fundamental skills honed through countless hours of practice and observation. It is a study of tone and form using one of the most basic materials, graphite, to inform his process.