Head of a Woman (Theresa Turner?) 

John Flaxman created this drawing, "Head of a Woman (Theresa Turner?)," with graphite on paper. The composition is immediately striking for its simplicity and purity of line. The profile view, rendered with delicate, precise strokes, captures the sitter's classical features. Note how Flaxman uses line to define form, creating a sense of volume and depth with minimal shading. The hair, intricately styled, is rendered with a remarkable attention to detail, each strand contributing to the overall texture. In its emphasis on line and form, the drawing reflects Flaxman's engagement with neoclassicism, drawing inspiration from ancient Greek art. The emphasis on clarity and restraint speaks to a larger intellectual movement that valued reason and order. Flaxman’s work operates as a sign, pointing back to these earlier forms while also engaging with contemporary ideas about beauty and representation. Consider how the formal qualities of this work—its line, composition, and classical subject matter—contribute to its enduring appeal.