Who painted Figures Illustrating Balance and Perspective [recto]?

Figures Illustrating Balance and Perspective [recto] was painted by John Flaxman in 1790.

Where can I see Figures Illustrating Balance and Perspective [recto]?

Figures Illustrating Balance and Perspective [recto] is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Figures Illustrating Balance and Perspective [recto]?

Figures Illustrating Balance and Perspective [recto] is associated with Romanticism.

Can I buy a print of Figures Illustrating Balance and Perspective [recto]?

Museum-quality prints of Figures Illustrating Balance and Perspective [recto] are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Figures Illustrating Balance and Perspective [recto]

John Flaxman , 1790

Figures Illustrating Balance and Perspective [recto] is a graphite drawing by the Romanticist artist John Flaxman. It dates from 1790 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:upper right in graphite: Balance of the figure by / the Arms.; lower right in graphite: Perspective; (figures numbered in graphite 1 through 6)

About this work

Overview

Created in 1790, this graphite drawing by English artist John Flaxman records a series of quick studies of human figures. The sheet contains several loosely rendered poses, ranging from static stances to dynamic actions such as running, leaping, and holding a pole or spear. Light, faint lines convey the fleeting nature of the sketches, which appear to be preparatory notes on balance and movement.

Subject & Meaning

The compositions focus on the mechanics of equilibrium, emphasizing how the positioning of arms and legs contributes to a figure’s stability. An ink annotation at the top reads “Balance of the figure by the arm,” indicating that Flaxman was investigating the role of limb placement in maintaining poise during various activities.

Technique & Style

Executed in graphite with occasional ink markings, the drawing exhibits a rapid, gestural hand. The strokes are intentionally loose, suggesting a study rather than a finished work. This approach aligns with Flaxman’s practice of producing preliminary sketches to explore form before committing to more elaborate compositions.

History & Provenance

John Flaxman, trained initially under the potter Josiah Wedgwood and later in Rome, produced this sheet during a period when he was establishing himself as a leading neoclassical draughtsman. The drawing likely originated as part of his personal studies for book illustrations and monument designs, though its exact ownership trail before entering a public collection remains undocumented.

Context

The work reflects Flaxman’s broader engagement with classical ideals and his interest in the human body as a vehicle for expressing harmony and proportion. His experience with funerary monuments and classical sculpture informed the emphasis on balanced poses, a concern that permeated neoclassical art in the late eighteenth century.