About this artwork

Ramsay explored the full potential of red chalk to achieve a beautiful delicacy and softness in this drawing. He captures an informal moment when his wife was either reading aloud or possibly taking notes from his dictation. It belongs to studies he made on the Island of Ischia during his third trip to Italy in 1776. Ramsay suffered great discomfort after injuring his right arm in 1773 but the drawing only reflects his supreme skill and his wife's natural serenity and composure.

Updated before 2020

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Allan Ramsay

Allan Ramsay