Sheet of Studies [recto and verso] 

John Flaxman created this Sheet of Studies with graphite on paper. The composition is defined by a series of figures scattered across the page. A larger, prominent figure dominates the upper left, its form bending, engaging with smaller sketches that fade into the background. The use of line is economical yet expressive, delineating form with minimal strokes. The repetition of figures across the sheet suggests an exploration of form and movement. Flaxman engages with the classical tradition by employing classical figurative representation, yet he destabilizes this reference with the sketch-like quality, challenging conventions of finish and presentation. Through this sketch, Flaxman offers us not a finished artwork, but a glimpse into his working process, inviting us to reconsider the boundaries between study and finished work. The lack of definitive form underscores a fluid, ongoing inquiry, characteristic of Flaxman's engagement with classical and contemporary ideas.