Lion 

John Flaxman made this drawing of a lion using graphite on paper. Looking closely, the lion's form emerges from the page through a series of delicate lines. Graphite, in its powdery form, lends itself to subtle gradations of tone, capturing the texture of the lion's fur and the play of light across its form. The artist likely used a graphite stick or pencil to create this sketch, building up layers of graphite to define the contours of the lion's body. The choice of graphite and paper speaks to a tradition of drawing as a fundamental skill for artists. This work is an example of the importance of materials, and making, in understanding the full meaning of an artwork, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.