An original late 19th-century graphite drawing, Ernest Crofts RA, Resting Soldier Study, Waterloo.A sensitive and poignant original pencil sketch by one of the leading military-historical painters of the late Victorian and Edwardian periods, Ernest Crofts RA (1847–1911). Likely preparatory material for the artist's highly detailed works in oil, this drawing shows not only Crofts's fine draughtsmanship, but also his intimate knowledge of military costume and his meticulous attention to detail. Unlike many of his contemporaries, Ernest Crofts brought to his art direct witness of the battlefield, having in 1864 accompanied a Prussian doctor in the Schleswig-Holstein War and in 1870–1 witnessed first-hand the closing stages of the Franco-Prussian war, at Weissenbourg, Wörth, and the siege of Strasbourg.Provenance: Studio Sale, Christie's, Dec 18th 1911.In graphite with watercolour. On pale green paper. There is an additional graphite drawing on the verso.All artworks come with a Certificate of Authenticity and in some cases the accompanying collection text or artist biography. Signed: Signed with monogram stamp lower left. Height: 12.6cm (5″) Width: 24.1cm (9.5″) Condition: Some minor age toning and marks. There are a number of small patches of repair to the fragile paper, including to the upper right corner, which are mainly visible when held to the light or on the verso. The white gouache has discoloured, as shown. Please see photos for detail. Presented: Unframed.