Studies for a Monument 

John Flaxman sketched these "Studies for a Monument" in pencil, capturing various designs for commemorative structures. Predominant are architectural frames adorned with figures, likely intended as allegorical representations. These forms echo classical antiquity, recalling triumphal arches and funerary monuments of ancient Rome. The figures atop the structures could be seen as embodiments of virtues or historical figures, reminiscent of caryatids or Roman emperors on horseback. Consider how such motifs resurface throughout art history, from Renaissance tombs to Neoclassical memorials. Take, for example, the sculpted figures on Trajan's Column, which, like these sketches, sought to immortalize achievements through symbolic representation. These studies tap into our collective memory, evoking deep-seated emotions connected to remembrance and legacy. The monument—a physical embodiment of memory—serves as a powerful force, engaging viewers on a subconscious level. In this non-linear progression, the monument symbolizes the eternal return, an attempt to defy oblivion through artistic and architectural expression.