Two Male Nudes seen from Above

John Flaxman

1790

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Romanticism 18th Century Nude

About this work

This sketch shows two naked men lying close together, seen from above. Their bodies are simple shapes—just curves and lines—with no details like faces or muscle. The artist used quick, loose strokes, almost like scribbles, with some darker lines here and there. The drawing feels more like a quick study than a finished work. The paper has a rough, textured look, and the ink is light, as if the artist was testing ideas. If you like this sketchy style, look up cross-hatching next.