The artwork “Study of Two Female Figures” by Albert Joseph Moore, dated circa 1868, is a notable example of Academicism, a style characterized by its adherence to classical standards of beauty, harmonious form, and skillful technique. This sketch and study is part of the collection housed at the British Museum in London, UK. It offers a glimpse into Moore’s process of exploring the subtleties of the human form and the intricate drapery that often featured in his finished paintings.
The artwork portrays two figures, presumably female, depicted from the back. The subjects are standing close, with one figure placing her arm around the other, suggesting a sense of intimacy or companionship. The skilled use of shading and highlights on the drapery indicates the artist’s acute attention to the way fabric interacts with the human form and light, creating a realistic representation of the folds and falls of the garments worn by the figures. The use of a brown-toned paper serves as a mid-tone, upon which the artist has built up the darker shadows and lighter regions to define the shape and volume of the figures and their attire. The linear elements and the subtlety of shading speak to Moore’s mastery of the medium and his dedication to exploring the nuances of figure and fabric in his preparatory works.
