Figure for Trial of Catherine 1991

This is Edwin Austin Abbey's preparatory drawing, Figure for Trial of Catherine. Although the date of the drawing is unknown, Abbey was active at the turn of the 20th century. The drawing depicts a male figure in profile dressed in what appears to be a long, clerical robe and cap, holding a book in his clasped hands. In Abbey’s time, historical painting was extremely popular, and Abbey devoted much of his career to illustrating the lives and histories of everyday people. Often, these depictions of the past are not as innocent as they seem. While he did not focus on overtly political themes, Abbey indirectly commented on the construction of history itself through the characters he chose to elevate. In this drawing, we are confronted with questions around who gets to be seen, heard, and remembered. In focusing on the trial of Catherine, who might otherwise be overlooked, Abbey asks us to confront the ways in which gender, class, and power dynamics shape our historical narratives.  This drawing challenges traditional representations, fostering an emotional connection to those whose stories have often been marginalized.