Artwork
Battle Scene
Battle Scene is a graphite drawing by the Romanticist artist John Flaxman. It dates from 1790 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Battle Scene is a 1790 drawing by John Flaxman, created in graphite with an unrelated pen and ink composition on the verso.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts a chaotic battle on a rocky hillside, with soldiers clashing swords and spears. The scene is rendered in a controlled manner, despite its violent subject matter.
Technique & Style
Flaxman's use of graphite produces sharp, scratchy lines, with varying pressure creating contrasting light and dark areas. The work exemplifies his characteristic black and white style, which lends a sculptural quality to the composition.
Context
As a leading Neoclassicist, Flaxman's work spanned various mediums, including funerary monuments and book illustrations. His experience as a modeller for Josiah Wedgwood and time in Rome influenced his artistic style.
Artist & collection
Artist
John Flaxman (6 July 1755 – 7 December 1826) was an English sculptor and draughtsman who was a leading figure in British and European Neoclassicism.
