Study for 'The Jury' (lot 315)

This sketch for the central figure in A Jury has remained with the oil (lot 315) since its execution. It shows the strength of O'Neill's draughtsmanship. It is intriguing to see that the ear-trumpet, which indicates the juror's deafness in the painting, is barely delineated at all. Perhaps this twist in the picture's narrative was confirmed at a later stage. However, the drawing does clarify those physical mannerisms that O'Neill accentuates to convey obstinancy: the man's legs are planted firmly, and his fists skewered determinedly upon his knees.