A sheet of three studies for 'Justice', by ca. 1856

George Frederic Watts RA (1817 - 1904)

RA Collection: Art

On this sheet are three studies possibly for figures in Watts's fresco 'Justice: A Hemicycle of Lawgivers' (Lincoln's Inn Great Hall, 1859). The drawing on the lower half of the page in heavy black chalk shows part of a seated figure with a book on his lap. Above, is a sketch of the head and shoulders of a man looking upwards. These are possibly studies for the figure of Servius, King of Rome, who is situated at the top left of the fresco, or an alternative pose for one of the two scribes at the feet of Justinian.

The study of a woman's head on the top left, drawn in lighter chalk, resembles Watts's portrait of Jane Senior (1858, Wightwick Manor, National Trust). Watts worked on the Lincoln's Inn fresco throughout the 1850s and the exhibition catalogue for 'In Trust for the Nation' mentions a reference to Watts asking Mrs. Senior if she would sit for him occasionally for the Carlton House Terrace frescoes (ca. 1856, Crown Estates, some still in situ, others at Marlborough College) on which he worked concurrently with the Lincoln's Inn project.