ANON (Eighteenth-Century) – Figure study of a woman holding a palette.

This fine, large drawing belonged to L. G. Duke who believed it to be by John Singleton Copley. Copley did make this sort of chalk drawing on blue paper, but we have not been able to find any sheets to prove that attribution, which was not supported by David Bindman. Regardless, it is a beautiful eighteenth century work. It is tempting to read it as a drawing of a female artist, but it is likely to be a model sitting as an allegory of painting.