A young woman, half-length, seated, 1895,0915.613

This black chalk drawing shows a seated woman with her hands resting in her lap and her hair covered by a light veil. The figure's composition, with her body turned slightly while her face meets the spectator, demonstrates a calm and balanced presence. Soft, precise lines define the delicate features of her face and the structured folds of her Renaissance-era dress.

This study illustrates the profound influence of Leonardo da Vinci's portraiture on Raphael, specifically the 'Mona Lisa' composition. It reflects the High Renaissance synthesis of naturalism and Neoplatonic idealism, where physical beauty was considered a reflection of inner, spiritual harmony.