Studies of a Sickbed and Decorations for the Façade of Buckingham Palace [recto and verso]

John Flaxman

1823

graphite

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Romanticism Early 19th Century

About this work

This sketch shows quick, loose drawings of people and objects. One boxy shape looks like a bed with a person lying down, surrounded by furniture. Other small sketches show architectural details—maybe doors or windows—and a few scattered figures. The lines are rough and fast, like notes jotted down while thinking. The paper has light brown spots, and some sketches are barely there, almost fading away. If you like this sketchy style, check out cross-hatching next.