A sketch of Julia Mary Herschel by her sister Matilda Rose Herschel.

Drawing lessons formed an essential part of the education of any upper middle class Victorian girl, even those such as the Herschels whose parents valued and encouraged the pursuit of more academic subjects such as science and languages for their daughters. Matilda Rose, like her sisters was taught at home by her mother, her father, her older sisters a string of governesses and external tutors for certain subjects.

This sketch by Matilda Rose of her older sister could have been done as part of a formal lesson, or it could simply have been done for leisure or practice.