Study for "Zodiac"

This ink sketch depicts a cherub or putto in dynamic flight, rendered with loose, gestural lines characteristic of late 19th-century figure studies. The winged figure, shown in a reclining pose with one arm extended, exemplifies the classical allegorical imagery popular in decorative arts and illustration of the period. Francis Augustus Lathrop's treatment of the form—economical yet expressive—reflects the influence of Renaissance masters while maintaining the direct, spontaneous quality of preparatory work. Such studies served as foundation drawings for larger decorative schemes, including wallpapers and architectural ornament that defined the American aesthetic movement.