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Sheet of Studies, including Warrior with Child [recto and verso]

John Flaxman

1790

graphite

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Romanticism 18th Century

Dominant colour

Sheet of Studies, including Warrior with Child [recto and verso] 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 three rough figures in a loose, hurried style. One man stands front and center, holding a spear and wearing a crown of leaves. Behind him, two others stand under a tree, one holding a staff. The lines are scratchy, and the shading is uneven, almost like a quick note. The artist used brown wash to suggest shadows and depth, but it’s more about movement than detail. This style fits the Romantic period, where emotion and quick ideas mattered more than perfect lines. Want to see more by this artist? Check out Flaxman, John.