Artwork
Two Male Nudes seen from Above
Two Male Nudes seen from Above is an ink 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
Two Male Nudes seen from Above is a drawing created by John Flaxman in 1790. It is executed in pen and brown ink over graphite on laid paper.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts two nude male figures lying together, viewed from above. The simplicity of their forms and the lack of detailed features suggest a focus on overall composition and pose.
Technique & Style
Flaxman's style in this work is characterized by loose, expressive lines and a restrained approach to detail, reflecting the Neoclassical emphasis on simplicity and classical forms.
Context
As a Neoclassicist, Flaxman was influenced by classical art and funerary sculpture, which is evident in his use of simple, linear forms to represent the human body.
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.
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Lawyer