John Flaxman

About this work

This sketch shows a man in profile, turned slightly away. His hair is pulled back neatly, and he wears a high-collar jacket with buttons visible near the neck. The lines are loose, almost like quick pencil strokes, giving it a sketchy, unfinished feel. The name "John Flaxman Esq." is written at the bottom, but this is actually a portrait of someone else—likely the artist’s subject. The medium is a print technique called lithography, which uses smooth stone for drawing. Next, check out lithography to see how this sketchy style works.