Sketches of Three Statues: Diana, Nymph Bathing and Cupid and Pysche 1845 - 1855

John Gibson made these sketches of three statues with graphite on paper at an unknown date. The statues depict Diana, a Nymph Bathing, and Cupid and Psyche. Gibson, a Welsh Neoclassical sculptor who spent much of his career in Rome, drew inspiration from classical antiquity, a common practice during the 19th century. These sketches reveal the cultural obsession with idealised forms that characterized the period. By studying classical statues, artists sought to understand the principles of beauty and proportion that they believed were essential to creating great art. This academic approach was very influential and supported by institutions such as the Royal Academy. Note also the writing in Italian and the mention of prices, suggesting these sketches may have served as a catalogue for potential clients of Gibson’s studio. To delve deeper into the context of this artwork, one might consult Gibson's letters and account books, as well as contemporary exhibition reviews and critical essays. These sources can shed light on the social and institutional forces that shaped his artistic production. Art is always contingent on the social and institutional context in which it is created and received.