Memorial to Sarah Morley in Gloucester Cathedral 

John Flaxman made this memorial to Sarah Morley in marble, a popular material for Neoclassical sculpture. The cool white stone lends itself to the serene scene. Morley, holding a child, is surrounded by angels, all of whom are caught in dynamic poses as they ascend to heaven. To achieve the relief effect, Flaxman would have used chisels, rasps, and files, gradually revealing the figures from the solid block. This process requires intense labor and skill, honed through years of training. The deep undercuts and refined surfaces of the figures show Flaxman’s expertise in marble carving. But what’s interesting here is the social context of such a commission. Marble was expensive, and Flaxman a celebrated artist. Memorials like this were only affordable for the wealthy, underlining the class divisions of 18th-century British society. The work underscores how materials, making, and context are crucial to understanding the full meaning of art.