Carolus Linneaus 

This portrait of Carolus Linneaus is by John Flaxman, although the exact date is unknown. Flaxman has crafted a profile using contrasting forms and a limited palette. The subject is sculpted in white relief against a grey background, encased in a dark oval frame that accentuates the cameo effect. Note how the smoothness of Linnaeus's face is juxtaposed with the intricate, almost baroque curls of his wig and the sharp lines of his attire. Flaxman has employed neoclassical principles, reducing detail to emphasize clean lines and ideal forms. The composition, restricted to a profile, evokes classical coins and medallions, signaling a reverence for the subject. The absence of color directs our attention to the texture and form, underscoring the Enlightenment values of reason and order. Ultimately, this work operates on contrasts, inviting us to consider the tension between individual identity and universal ideals.