Before painting, Henner reflected on his composition and put his ideas down on paper. In this way, he produces numerous sketches that later enable him to choose the version that seems best.
On this preparatory drawing, Henner starts with a vertical composition and depicts his figure standing. His hair color is already defined: his Vérité will be redheaded, as evidenced by the sanguine used to complement the Conté square.
This version is closer to the iconographic tradition, as it associates the allegory with its two attributes: the mirror and the well.
