Artwork
Sheet of Studies [recto and verso]
![Sheet of Studies [recto and verso], by John Flaxman, ink, 1790](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/john-flaxman--sheet-of-studies-recto-and-verso--bbd1675f48cb47a4-w1024.webp)
Sheet of Studies [recto and verso] is an ink drawing by the Romanticist artist John Flaxman. It dates from 1790 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
This drawing, created in 1790, is a double-sided work on paper by John Flaxman, featuring pen and ink over graphite on one side and graphite alone on the other.
Technique & Style
Executed in a Neoclassical style, the drawing showcases Flaxman's use of quick, light lines and simple shading to convey form and texture. The recto combines pen and ink with graphite underdrawing, while the verso is rendered solely in graphite.
Subject & Meaning
The recto depicts three figures standing together, two of whom hold staffs or sticks. The sketchy, unfinished quality of the drawing suggests it is a study or preparatory work, reflecting Flaxman's methodical approach to composition.
Context
Flaxman's work was influenced by his time in Rome and his experience as a modeller for Josiah Wedgwood's pottery. As a prominent figure in British Neoclassicism, he worked in multiple mediums, including sculpture and drawing.
Artist & collection
Artist
John Flaxman (6 July 1755 – 7 December 1826) was an English sculptor and draughtsman who was a leading figure in British and European Neoclassicism.
