John Flaxman Modeling the Bust of William Hayley 1795 - 1796

George Romney painted this scene of John Flaxman modeling the bust of William Hayley. The bust, itself an imitation of classical forms, presents the sitter as an enlightened man. Note how Hayley gestures, his index finger touching his face, a visual echo of depictions of learned philosophers and thinkers throughout art history. Consider the act of replication here. Flaxman models Hayley; Romney paints Flaxman modeling Hayley. What is retained, what is lost, and what is altered through each phase of recreation? The baton is being passed here. How the essence of a person transforms through the artist's interpretation and immortalization in sculpture mirrors ancient rituals, where objects are imbued with a soul. We see a similar impulse in the creation of portraits throughout history. This impulse echoes into the modern era, revealing our deep-seated desire to transcend our mortal existence.