[title not known] 

Curator: This page from a sketchbook holds several studies by John Flaxman; it's undated, but part of the Tate collection. The medium is graphite on paper. Editor: The initial impression is tenderness; the groupings of figures seem to be exploring themes of familial love, perhaps even mourning, with a neo-classical touch. Curator: Absolutely. Flaxman was deeply influenced by classical antiquity. He often depicted scenes from Homer and other classical writers. These studies resonate with themes of grief, loss, and the human condition, which were prevalent during his era. Editor: I’m struck by the repetition of the figures, almost like variations on a theme. The use of graphite lends a dreamlike quality, softening the figures and imbuing them with a sense of timelessness. It's about the universality of these emotions. Curator: These sketches resonate with contemporary discourse on care ethics and emotional labor, particularly as experienced by women in patriarchal societies. The poses evoke feelings of both protection and vulnerability. Editor: Seeing how Flaxman returns to these motifs, it suggests an exploration of archetypal roles and the enduring power of family bonds. Curator: Indeed, the drawings offer a window into the emotional landscape of Flaxman's time. Editor: And perhaps our own, too.