Sheet of Studies of Cloaked Figures 

John Flaxman likely made this sheet of studies of cloaked figures in the late 18th or early 19th century, using graphite on paper. The simple act of drawing is front and center here. This isn’t a finished work meant for display, but a record of thinking through form. Notice how the graphite line varies, sometimes barely visible, at other times more emphatic to define a contour. The physical qualities of graphite – its softness, its capacity to be layered – are fully on display. The artist coaxes a range of tones from the medium, creating a sense of volume and depth, despite the spareness of the composition. What is most intriguing is how Flaxman allows us to see the labor of his artistic process. Every mark is a record of his hand moving across the page, each figure emerging through a process of careful observation and refinement. Ultimately, this drawing reminds us that every artwork, no matter how polished it may seem, is the result of countless decisions made by the artist.