Five figure studies: possibly George IV in Highland Dress (illustrated), with a study of dancing figures (verso); and four various studies mounted together

One of these studies (illustrated) may be associated with the portrait of George IV in Highland Dress (Royal Collection). It is difficult to be certain and the other studies have yet to be associated with a specific work by the artist. This is not unusual, however, as he sketched constantly, almost compulsively, from life, exploring compositions or working out ideas for future paintings, which might or might not come to fruition. Thus by their very nature the majority of his pen and ink drawings were exploratory. In this Wilkie was following in the tradition of the Old Masters, particularly the Dutch and Flemish artists such as Rubens, Rembrandt or Ferdinand Bol.

John Burnet described his working practice, 'before commencing his picture, he generally made a small sketch in oil, and varied it in several ways, in pen-and-ink drawings on paper, in some instances in an incredible number' (J. Burnet, Practical Essays on Various Branches of the Fine Arts, London, 1848, p. 110).

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