Comfort the Afflicted c. 1790

John Flaxman created "Comfort the Afflicted" with pen and grey ink, at a time when Europe was experiencing major social and political upheaval. Flaxman was commissioned to design monuments honoring military and political figures but his lesser known works offer a window into his views on social justice. This drawing depicts two women in classical robes, one comforting the other in distress. Their closeness and posture convey intimacy and support. During the late 18th and early 19th centuries, women were often confined to the domestic sphere, but they also formed strong emotional bonds and support networks. Flaxman here elevates the emotional labor that characterized women’s relationships. It provides an alternative to the traditional narratives of women as passive or decorative figures. Flaxman's drawing is an expression of empathy and a call for compassion during a period marked by conflict and inequality. It is a powerful reminder of the importance of human connection, particularly for those who are suffering.