This is almost certainly a study for the figure of Elias in the design of the Transfiguration which Leighton made early in 1863 for the apse of St Paul's Cathedral. 'On the other side', wrote F.G. Stephens, in a description of the design in the Athenaeum, 'is Elias who, kneeling, bends his head and sinks his hands as in adoration' (see Athenaeum, no.1843, 21 February 1863, p.265, and L. and R. Ormond, Lord Leighton, 1975, p.57). A study for the figure on the other side of Christ was sold in these Rooms on 11 June 1993, lot 71 (repr. in cat.). This too was identified as representing Elias, since Stephens implies that he was shown on the right side of Christ, Moses being 'placed in the left hand of this division'. It would now appear, however, that the figure we had earlier was Moses, Leighton having transposed the two figures, or, more likely, Stephens being guilty of a slip of the pen in describing their relative positions.
The design was never carried out in St Paul's and these drawings would appear to be the only record of it.
The second drawing by Crane is a study is for one of the bathing women in the picture which is probably Crane's masterpiece as a painter, now in the Tate Gallery (repr. Walter Crane, An Artist's Reminiscences, 1907, facing p.232). The picture was shown at the opening exhibition at the Grosvenor Gallery in 1877, exhibition at the Grosvenor Gallery in 1877, and bought by G.F. Watts in 1882. His widow gave it to the Tate in accordance with his wishes in 1913, two years before Crane's death. The drawing seems to be the only known study for this important work.