Compositional study

The present drawing demonstrates the power of his hand as well as that of his imagination, although its subject remains elusive. The dominant figure to the left of the complex scene wears a 'starburst' crown of a type often used by 18th Century British painters for Biblical kings. George Romney's Head of King Saul, for example, a pen and ink study of circa 1776-78 shows a similar crown. Crowns of this kind are, however, also used to signify kingly figures in historical and mythological compositions. In this case the combination of crown, bearded face and simple robes suggest an Old Testament subject. The close grouping of the figures, the jutting spears on the left and the steep perspective of the rather Stonehenge-like building on the right bring to mind Barry's oil sketch The Baptism of the King of Cashel by St Patrick (National Gallery of Ireland).

The present drawing appears to have been made rapidly, in a moment of intense emotion and concentration.