A preliminary design for a painting which bears a resemblance to both Vespertina Quies of 1893 and Flamma Vestalis of 1896. In both paintings the subjects are in a contemplative mood. This pencil version indicates that it was to have born an inscription possibly giving an aid to understanding for the viewer, but his rather obvious idea was abandoned in the oils and substituted for more subtle hints as to the nature of the paintings, Vespertina Quies plays with a ring on her little finger and Flamma Vestalis holds a rosary.