Woman Playing a Harp (Lavinia Banks?) 

John Flaxman sketched this drawing of a woman playing a harp in the late 18th or early 19th century. The harp, an ancient instrument, is here imbued with the classical grace so admired during Flaxman’s time. Consider how the harp's form echoes that of the female figure, both curvaceous and elegant, almost as if the woman herself is an instrument of divine harmony. We might recall David, the harpist of biblical fame, whose music soothed King Saul's tormented soul. The harp, then, is not merely an instrument but a conduit for emotional catharsis and spiritual solace. The image evokes timeless themes of music, femininity, and the human pursuit of harmony. It serves as a potent reminder of how symbols evolve, carrying within them the echoes of past and present.