Isabella and Mariana Kneeling Before the Duke 1822

Robert Smirke created this drawing, Isabella and Mariana Kneeling Before the Duke, using pencil and watercolor on paper. Unlike the oil paintings that were typical for the period, this work is made with relatively humble materials, which impart a sketch-like quality, as if we are seeing the artist’s first thoughts. The composition is rendered using delicate yet decisive lines, washed with watercolor to suggest depth and shadow. The choice of paper as a ground is noteworthy. Paper was becoming increasingly available at this time, thanks to industrial production. In this context, it is no longer just a surface, but a signifier of broader social shifts. With these accessible materials, Smirke has achieved a remarkable level of detail, capturing the emotional intensity of the scene. Ultimately, the impact of this drawing lies not only in its aesthetic qualities but also in its material presence, which connects us to the changing economic and social landscape of its time.