Open full image Pin

Sheet of Studies [recto and verso]

John Flaxman

1790

graphite

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Romanticism 18th Century

Dominant colour

Sheet of Studies [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 page is covered in small, quick sketches. You see groups of people tangled together, animals, and strange shapes that look like they’re moving. The lines are light and shaky, like someone drew fast. Some boxes are empty, just waiting for ideas. The paper is old and yellow, with stains and tears at the edges. These sketches might be practice for bigger work. The artist didn’t erase mistakes—just kept going. Look up Flaxman, John next to see how his sketches turned into famous sculptures.