Sketches of Six Statues: Magdalen by Canova, Divine Love by Bienaimé, Praying Angel, Boxer by Canova, Trust in God by Bartolini, and Madonna by Raphael 1845 - 1855

John Gibson created this pencil drawing, "Sketches of Six Statues," in the nineteenth century. The composition is a study in contrasts, a juxtaposition of forms captured with delicate lines on a single sheet. The figures, each rendered with varying degrees of detail, present a tableau of human form and emotion. Gibson plays with the semiotics of sculpture itself. We see Canova's boxer rendered with raw physicality, next to Raphael's Madonna, a symbol of idealized motherhood. Note how the lines, though faint, delineate the play of light and shadow on each form, giving volume and depth. The placement of these figures on the page isn't arbitrary; it suggests a dialogue between classical ideals and religious sentiment. This approach invites us to consider not just the aesthetic qualities of these works, but also the values and cultural codes they embody. The drawing prompts a reevaluation of established meanings, challenging us to consider new perspectives on space, representation and cultural memory.