A red chalk drawing of the head and shoulders of a woman, looking to the left front. Signed and dated "EB-J / 1896". On paper watermarked "[MO]NTGOLFIER VIDALON LES ANNONAY ANONEMA". Pin holes in two corners. There are some similarities in the physigonomy of the woman depicted in this drawing and that of the figure in two preparatory studies (Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery and Fogg Museum, Harvard) in pencil for Burne-Jones's last major painting, 'The Sirens' (c. 1891-8, unfinished), which are both dated 1895 and of a comparable size to this work. There is a figure on the right in the oil painting (which is in the Ringling Museum, Florida) whose head is turned in a similar direction. This drawing reflects Burne-Jones's abiding interest in traditional drawing methods and media. The coloured coating given to the paper serves as a middle ground to which the artist has added white highlights and shadows, modelling the delicate features of the sitter's face. In media but also in terms of its painterly technique this work shares affinities with a drawing by Leonardo, also in the Royal Collection (see RCIN 912422), of an oak branch.