Structure with Figures in Asian Dress (Illustration for “The Casket”?) c. 1812

John Flaxman made this delicate pencil sketch, "Structure with Figures in Asian Dress," likely as an illustration, around the late 18th or early 19th century. The medium itself, graphite on paper, lends a tentative, ethereal quality to the scene. The marks are light, almost hesitant, giving the impression of a fleeting vision or a half-remembered dream. This is in line with Flaxman’s broader practice, which emphasized the importance of drawing as a primary act of creative generation. Although the style is neoclassical, the subject leans towards the exotic, depicting figures in what the artist imagined to be ‘Asian’ dress. This interest in other cultures reflects the expanding global awareness of the time, fueled by trade and colonization. Yet, the sketch also reveals the limitations of that awareness, as Flaxman's representation is based more on imagination than accurate observation. Ultimately, the drawing serves as a reminder that art is always a product of its time, shaped by the materials at hand, the available knowledge, and the prevailing cultural attitudes.