Who painted Study for Pilgrim's Progress (?)?

Study for Pilgrim's Progress (?) was painted by John Flaxman in 1790.

Where can I see Study for Pilgrim's Progress (?)?

Study for Pilgrim's Progress (?) is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Study for Pilgrim's Progress (?)?

Study for Pilgrim's Progress (?) is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Study for Pilgrim's Progress (?)

John Flaxman , 1790

Study for Pilgrim's Progress (?) 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

John Flaxman's 1790 drawing, titled *Study for Pilgrim's Progress* (question mark), is executed in pen and gray ink over a graphite underdrawing on laid paper. The work is a preparatory sketch, characteristic of Flaxman's practice of developing compositions through rapid, gestural lines and modest shading.

Subject & Meaning

The composition depicts a small procession of figures moving in varied directions. Some participants wear long, flowing robes, while others are in simpler attire. A central figure carries a staff, and a diminutive figure is shown seated alone on the ground, suggesting a narrative of pilgrimage or spiritual journey.

Technique & Style

Flaxman employs loose, swift strokes to outline the group, allowing the drawing to function as a quick study. Light cross‑hatching creates modest tonal variation, giving a sense of movement and spatial depth without detailed rendering, a method typical of his neoclassical draftsmanship.

History & Provenance

The sketch originates from Flaxman's early period after his Roman sojourn, when he was producing book illustrations and designs for funerary monuments. It reflects his transition from modelling for Josiah Wedgwood’s pottery to a career as a leading neoclassical draughtsman in Britain.

Context

Created during the height of British neoclassicism, the drawing aligns with Flaxman's interest in classical literature and moral allegory. The subject, drawn from John Bunyan’s *Pilgrim’s Progress*, would have resonated with contemporary audiences familiar with the work’s religious and ethical themes.