Warrior upon Sarcophagus Accompanied by Trophies: Unexecuted Design for the Monument to the First Duke of Marlborough c. 1733

This is John Michael Rysbrack's unexecuted design for the monument to the First Duke of Marlborough, made with pen and brown ink, and brown wash over graphite. The drawing presents a fascinating study of the relationship between material, process, and social context. Rysbrack was one of the foremost sculptors of his day. The drawing gives us an insight into the way he conceived of his monuments. The pen and ink medium, with its immediacy and fluidity, allowed Rysbrack to rapidly explore different compositional arrangements and capture the dynamic energy of the proposed sculpture. The trophies surrounding the sarcophagus act as a means of honouring the Duke's military achievements, while also subtly commenting on issues of power, labor, and class within society. Ultimately, this drawing challenges traditional notions of fine art by emphasizing the crucial role of materials, making, and context in understanding the full meaning of a work.