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Snails [recto and verso]

John Flaxman

1790

graphite

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Romanticism 18th Century

Dominant colour

Snails [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 is a simple drawing of two snails on a light, slightly yellowed paper. One snail is curled up tight, while the other sits with its shell open, antennae stretched out. The lines are faint, almost like a quick sketch. The drawing looks like it was done in pencil, with no heavy shading or color. It feels more like a doodle than a polished work, but that might be the point. Next, look up Romanticism to see how artists used nature in their work.