A Woman Resting 

John Linnell’s "A Woman Resting" presents us with an intimate study, rendered in pencil, focusing intently on form and structure. The subject's head is tilted, eyes closed, suggesting repose, framed by what seems to be a bonnet, its frills sketched with delicate, almost tentative lines. What strikes us first is the economy of line; Linnell uses hatching to define volume and shadow, particularly noticeable in the woman’s face and clothing. These diagonal lines, almost architectural in their precision, convey a sense of depth and solidity, while simultaneously creating a texture that invites tactile exploration. The composition is cropped tightly around the head, drawing attention to the internal state of the subject, yet without sentimentality. Linnell's structural approach invites us to contemplate the fundamental elements of representation. This emphasis on form over detail challenges conventional notions of portraiture, pushing us to consider how line and form alone can convey both physical presence and a sense of psychological depth.