Two Figures Embracing

John Flaxman

1800

graphite

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Romanticism Early 19th Century

About this work

This sketch shows two blurred figures standing close, their arms wrapped around each other. The lines are light and shaky, almost like a quick doodle. The paper is faded and worn, with a dark brown stain in the top corner. The drawing feels rushed, with some areas barely holding shape. This style was common in studies where artists tested ideas fast. Next, check out Romanticism to see how this fits into the bigger art scene.