Who painted Sheet of Studies [recto and verso]?

Sheet of Studies [recto and verso] was painted by John Flaxman in 1819.

Where can I see Sheet of Studies [recto and verso]?

Sheet of Studies [recto and verso] is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Sheet of Studies [recto and verso]?

Sheet of Studies [recto and verso] is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Sheet of Studies [recto and verso]

John Flaxman , 1819

Sheet of Studies [recto and verso] is a graphite drawing by the Romanticist artist John Flaxman. It dates from 1819 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

This drawing, created in 1819 by John Flaxman, is a double-sided sheet featuring graphite sketches on one side and ink and wash studies on the other.

Technique & Style

The graphite side showcases a range of hand poses rendered in quick sketches, while the verso combines ink with watery gray wash. Flaxman's use of parallel lines to create shading is characteristic of the cross-hatching technique.

Subject & Meaning

The sheet contains preparatory sketches and developed studies, reflecting Flaxman's practice as a creator of funerary monuments and his process of working out ideas for larger projects.

Context

As a prominent figure in British and European Neoclassicism, Flaxman's work spanned various mediums, including modelling for Josiah Wedgwood's pottery and illustrating books during his time in Rome.