Open full image Pin

Sheet of Studies [recto and verso]

John Flaxman

1811

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Romanticism Early 19th Century

Dominant colour

Sheet of Studies [recto and verso] is a 1811 ink by John Flaxman, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: John Flaxman
When & what style?: 1811 · Romanticism
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This sketch shows quick, loose drawings of people and horses in motion. The lines are light and scratchy, like hurried notes. Some figures are almost hidden in the background, while others stand out near the bottom. The paper looks old and worn, with marks showing it was used on both sides. The artist seems to have been testing ideas fast, without smoothing out details. Next, look up cross-hatching to see how artists build shading with layers of lines.