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Study of a Figure in the Court of Queen Mab (2)

Study of a Figure in the Court of Queen Mab (2) - image described in detail below under the heading Image Description

Image Description

This pastel drawing on black paper depicts a female-presenting figure seated on a chair draped with green fabric. On their head are a small pair of horns, and around their neck is a ruff and a long beaded necklace.

To their right is a small round table draped with white fabric on which is a honey pot and a silver platter holding grapes, a halved pomegranate, as well as a honey dipper.

Behind them red fabric is draped over a larger object.

At the top left of the drawing is gold text quoting these lines from Percy Shelley’s Queen Mab:

The man
Of virtuous soul commands not, nor obeys.
Power, like a desolating pestilence,
Pollutes whate'er it touches; and obedience,
Bane of all genius, virtue, freedom, truth,
Makes slaves of men, and of the human frame
A mechanized automaton.

Artist’s Notes

The second of a mini-series of Studies from the Court of Queen Mab.

The man
Of virtuous soul commands not, nor obeys.
Power, like a desolating pestilence,
Pollutes whate'er it touches; and obedience,
Bane of all genius, virtue, freedom, truth,
Makes slaves of men, and of the human frame
A mechanized automaton.

Queen Mab by Shelley