George Frederic Watts, O.M., R.A. (1817-1904)

Watts made numerous experimental studies for his paintings and often reworked the final pieces for years after their creation. The present oil sketch appears to amalgamate a selection of his visual conceptions. The bright sun relates to Progess and the upwardly thrusting figures to The Creation of Eve and The Recording Angel. The hunched figure in the left foreground and the armoured figure in the right reappear in The Court of Death. This work is testament to Watts's working method of continually developing his designs and compositions.