Back View of a Woman with Child Looking over Her Shoulder 

Here is John Flaxman's pen and ink wash drawing depicting the back view of a woman with a child looking over her shoulder. The overall impression is one of simplicity and restraint. The composition is dominated by the broad, flowing lines of the woman’s drapery, which create a sense of verticality and enclosure. The limited tonal range focuses our attention on the contours and the interplay of light and shadow. The woman’s drapery is rendered with bold strokes, giving it a sculptural quality. The linear design around the child introduces a subtle counterpoint to the more expansive forms of the woman’s figure. Flaxman uses line to define form and volume, and he uses scale to express themes about intimacy. Ultimately, the drawing’s power resides in its ability to evoke emotion through formal means. The drawing invites us to consider how Flaxman uses line, form, and composition to explore themes of maternity and the human condition.