Who painted Two Women's Heads?

Two Women's Heads was painted by John Flaxman in 1790.

Where can I see Two Women's Heads?

Two Women's Heads is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Two Women's Heads?

Two Women's Heads is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Two Women's Heads

John Flaxman , 1790

Two Women's Heads 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 drawing *Two Women’s Heads* is executed in graphite on laid paper and dates to around 1790. The work presents a study of two nude female heads positioned in dialogue, rendered with restrained line work that emphasizes form over detail.

Subject & Meaning

The composition features one profile view and one slightly turned forward, the heads meeting eye‑to‑eye. The simplicity of the lines suggests a focus on the basic contours of hair, face, and neck, inviting contemplation of classical ideals of beauty and proportion.

Technique & Style

Flaxman employs a light, economical graphite stroke, allowing the texture of the laid paper to remain visible. The drawing exemplifies the Neoclassical preference for clarity and order, using minimal shading to define volume while maintaining a sense of restraint.

History & Provenance

Created during a prolific period when Flaxman was producing funerary monuments and book illustrations, the piece reflects his training in Wedgwood’s pottery workshops and his subsequent development in Rome. It is now part of the collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington.

Context

The work aligns with the broader Neoclassical movement of the late 18th century, which sought to revive the aesthetic principles of antiquity. Flaxman’s drawing demonstrates his engagement with these ideals through a disciplined approach to line and form.