Artwork

Study for "The Wise and Foolish Virgins"

Study for "The Wise and Foolish Virgins", by Frederic, Lord Leighton, chalk, 1863
Study for "The Wise and Foolish Virgins", by Frederic, Lord Leighton, chalk, 1863

Study for "The Wise and Foolish Virgins" is a chalk drawing by the Romanticist artist Frederic, Lord Leighton. It dates from 1863 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Study for "The Wise and Foolish Virgins" is a drawing by Frederic Leighton, created in 1863, as a preparatory work for a larger composition.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing depicts two robed figures seated together, conveying a sense of anticipation or expectation, as they await an unspecified event, reflecting the larger work's theme of waiting.

Technique & Style

Executed in black chalk with white highlights on blue paper, the sketch features loose, expressive lines and shading that evoke fabric folds and movement, characteristic of a rapid, observational study.

Context

This work is associated with the artist's exploration of emotion and narrative in art, tendencies that align with the broader artistic movement of Romanticism, which emphasized storytelling and emotional resonance.

Artist & collection

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.