The Bridge 1807

Editor: Here we have "The Bridge" by John Flaxman. It’s a rather small image on paper, seemingly illustrating some kind of journey into the underworld? The mood is definitely unsettling. What do you make of it? Curator: For me, Flaxman's line work sings! It's so clean, so deliberate. Almost like a sculptor working in ink. Given the title and the figures, I see a descent, perhaps into the self, or maybe even facing the demons we carry within. Notice how some figures embrace, while others brandish weapons. Are they protectors or tormentors, I wonder? Editor: That's a great point about internal struggles. I hadn’t thought of it that way. Curator: Art invites us to see reflections of ourselves. And maybe that's the real bridge here.