Monument to William Shakespeare

James Stow after Thomas Banks

National Gallery of Art

This is a drawing of a central figure flanked by two allegorical figures. The drawing depicts a central seated figure on a rock with a contemplative expression. To the left, an allegorical figure holding a mask and a lyre is shown, and to the right, another allegorical figure holds a palette. The use of line work is meticulous, providing texture and depth, particularly in the drapery of the clothing and the detailing of the rock. The overall composition suggests a meeting of different artistic disciplines, unified through the central figure's prominence and the interactive gestures of the side figures. The use of fine lines and crosshatching is evident throughout the drawing, adding to the classical appearance of the artwork.