Study for Decorations of Buckingham Palace

John Flaxman

1823

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Romanticism Early 19th Century

About this work

This sketch shows a fancy fireplace setup with a big mirror above it. On the mantel sit three vases and a clock, all drawn in light lines. Above the mirror, two winged figures hold up a wreath with leaves and fruit. The drawing uses thin lines and shading to show depth without much color. It looks like a plan for how a room should look, not a real scene. If you like this style, check out Romanticism for more decorative art like this.