1790
graphite
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Battle Scene is a 1790 graphite by John Flaxman, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This drawing shows soldiers fighting with swords and spears on a rocky hillside. The lines are sharp and scratchy, like quick knife cuts. Light and dark areas pop because Flaxman pressed the pencil hard in some spots. Flaxman was a big deal in the early 1800s for his clean, almost sculptural style. He worked mostly in black and white, which makes this chaotic scene feel oddly controlled. Look next at Flaxman, John.
John Flaxman (6 July 1755 – 7 December 1826) was an English sculptor and draughtsman who was a leading figure in British and European Neoclassicism.
See the richer artist page
