Stylistically the technique of drawing can be dated c.1868. It is interesting, as it is an indication of his emergent, more serious interest in life drawing, as opposed to his observations taken from classical sculpture. This study was made in preparation for the first series, the modelling at this date is heavier and darker, rather thanlater softer lighter textures and the outline of the figure is given more emphasis than it would be given later in the mid-1870s.