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Figure Studies

John Flaxman

1790

graphite

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Romanticism 18th Century

Dominant colour

Figure Studies is a 1790 graphite by John Flaxman, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: John Flaxman
When & what style?: 1790 · Romanticism
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This sketch shows a few quick, loose drawings of people. The lines are light and shaky, like they were drawn fast. Some figures stand tall, others crouch or bend. The paper looks old and worn. The artist scribbled their name in the corner: *"Flaxman."* These sketches were practice—just shapes and poses, not finished work. Next, check out Romanticism to see how artists used raw, emotional sketches like this.