Study probably for one of the figures on the recto 1750 - 1808

This delicate pencil sketch, created by Samuel Shelley, captures the essence of a figure shrouded in contemplation. Notice the veiled head, a symbol laden with meaning throughout art history. The veiled head, a motif appearing as far back as ancient Roman depictions of mourning figures, resurfaces across centuries. Think of veiled Madonnas in Renaissance art, embodying grief and solemnity. Shelley's figure, though lightly sketched, evokes this same sense of introspection and hidden emotion. The veil itself acts as a screen, obscuring the individual while simultaneously hinting at the depths of their inner world. It taps into our collective memory, stirring subconscious associations with mourning, mystery, and the unknown. Shelley masterfully uses this age-old symbol, engaging us in an unspoken dialogue about the complexities of human emotion.