Sheet of Studies [recto and verso] 

Editor: Here we have John Flaxman’s pencil drawing, "Sheet of Studies [recto and verso]." I'm really struck by how fragmented it feels, almost like a series of snapshots depicting some historical event. What do you see in this piece, especially concerning its historical context? Curator: Fragmentation is a crucial lens, absolutely. Think about Flaxman’s historical moment, the late 18th and early 19th centuries. We’re at the cusp of revolutions, of Enlightenment ideals being both realized and violently contested. Flaxman, like many artists of his time, was deeply engaged with history painting, often drawing on classical subjects. Editor: I see some figures that might represent royalty or nobility in the center. What's with all of the barely sketched shapes on the left? Curator: It seems likely. And precisely – those are vital. This work exists as a drawing—a preliminary stage, often tied to larger projects and ideas. Think about drawing, not just as preparatory, but as a site of experimentation. It invites us to consider: whose stories get told? Who is centered? And how can the visual language of classical history be questioned? Is it adequate in this specific historical and social climate? Editor: That's fascinating! It definitely changes how I see the drawing now. Curator: Absolutely. The rapid lines invite us to unpack what history meant and to whom during the rise of Romanticism, amid empire-building and the emergence of modern nation-states. Editor: So much to think about in what seems like a simple sketch! Thanks so much! Curator: It was my pleasure, thank you for your insights.