William Mulready, R.A.

A sheet of knee studiesExtensively inscribed, dated 15.7.1838, pencil, black, red and white chalkIrregular 25.8 x 21 cmMulready was elected to the R.A. in 1816 and became an Attending Visitor (teacher) at the Royal Academy Life School, where he was noted as still hard at work, like any young student, at the age of 73. His life drawings are acclaimed for the fineness of their execution and the level of detail and understanding of anatomy which they display.Queen Victoria, on her visit to the 1864 R.A. exhibition commented favourably on his ‘fine chalk drawings of the naked figure which dear Albert so admired’.The full pencil inscription on the sheet reveals a close observation of the working of the joint:These sketches are not worth one moments consideration (either in)/ point of form, taste, or execution, but they are well enough to illus trate a mode of study that would be found more useful than any other that I am acquainted with. T he student should first be able to draw from casts.No 1 & No 2The same limb in the very same view.The knee perfectly strait, (sic) but the mus:s (muscles) of No 1 with the least possible action, and the muscles of No 2 in a very strong action, supporting the weight of the body, the centre of gravity being supported near the heel.No 3The same limb in the same view but the knee a little bent supporting the weight of the body.