Figure Study

John Flaxman

1790

graphite

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Romanticism 18th Century

About this work

This sketch shows a single figure sitting on a low stool. The lines are light and loose, almost like a quick sketch. The person’s head is tilted slightly, and their hands rest on their knees. The drawing uses only graphite, with no shading or color. It looks like the artist was testing shapes and poses rather than making a finished picture. If you like loose sketches, check out Romanticism—this style often focused on emotion and movement over perfect details.