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Study for Reconstruction of West Pediment of the Parthenon

John Flaxman

1805

graphite

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Romanticism Early 19th Century

Dominant colour

Study for Reconstruction of West Pediment of the Parthenon is a 1805 graphite by John Flaxman, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: John Flaxman
When & what style?: 1805 · Romanticism
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This sketch shows a line of figures climbing a hill. Some are standing, some are sitting or lying down. The artist used light pencil strokes to keep it simple and loose. The scene looks like a long, narrow band of people moving upward. Notice how the figures are all different sizes and shapes. The artist didn’t focus on perfect details—just the overall shape and movement. This was drawn to help rebuild a famous old temple’s design. Look up Flaxman, John next to see more of his work.