Studies of Crowing Rooster and Reclining Figures [recto and verso] late 18th/early 19th century

This drawing by the English sculptor John Flaxman, created in the late 18th/early 19th century, features a series of sketches on both sides of the page. The recto side features studies of a crowing rooster and several reclining figures, while the verso, not pictured here, contains more sketches of figures. Flaxman was known for his neoclassical style and his ability to capture the human form in motion. These studies, executed in pencil, demonstrate Flaxman's interest in anatomical detail and his exploration of the human figure through quick sketches. The loose and gestural lines of the drawings reveal a sense of immediacy and spontaneity, suggesting that they were likely made as part of Flaxman's process for larger, more finished works.