Who painted Two Seated Female Figures with Arms Lifted Overhead?

Two Seated Female Figures with Arms Lifted Overhead was painted by John Flaxman in 1790.

Where can I see Two Seated Female Figures with Arms Lifted Overhead?

Two Seated Female Figures with Arms Lifted Overhead is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Two Seated Female Figures with Arms Lifted Overhead?

Two Seated Female Figures with Arms Lifted Overhead is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Two Seated Female Figures with Arms Lifted Overhead

John Flaxman , 1790

Two Seated Female Figures with Arms Lifted Overhead 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

The work exemplifies the artist’s early exploration of figure drawing before the addition of narrative or decorative elements.

Created in 1790, *Two Seated Female Figures with Arms Lifted Overhead* is a pen drawing on paper executed in brown ink. The composition presents a pair of seated women, their limbs folded and arms raised, rendered with a sparse, linear economy that leaves the surface largely unfilled. The work exemplifies the artist’s early exploration of figure drawing before the addition of narrative or decorative elements.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing depicts two nude female forms seated side by side, their legs drawn close to the torso and their arms extended upward. The pose suggests a moment of gesture or ritual, though no contextual clues are provided. By isolating the bodies, the artist emphasizes the study of anatomy and movement rather than a specific mythological or historical story.

Technique & Style

Executed with pen and brown ink, the piece relies on quick, uneven strokes and cross‑hatching to suggest volume and shadow. The lines are deliberately rough, giving the impression of a study in progress rather than a finished composition. This linear approach reflects Flaxman’s characteristic neoclassical restraint, focusing on clear contour and controlled draftsmanship.

History & Provenance

John Flaxman, an English sculptor and draughtsman, produced the drawing after his formative years modeling for Josiah Wedgwood’s pottery and his subsequent stay in Rome, where he refined a distinctive linear style. The work remains a testament to his early period, illustrating the transition from decorative design to the more disciplined neoclassical idiom that defined his later career.