[title not known] Verso: Part of ?Map and ?Figurative Sketch 

Curator: This is a sketch page from John Flaxman, born in 1755. Part of what is thought to be a map and figurative sketch, it's held at the Tate. Editor: It feels like catching a glimpse into Flaxman's mind—a flurry of ideas sketched lightly in pencil. The density of figures is striking. Curator: Flaxman was deeply influenced by classical antiquity. Note the prevalent use of cherubs, suggesting themes of innocence and divine love. Editor: And that candelabra. Looking at this as a materialist, the swiftness of line speaks to the economics of artistic production; speed equals efficiency. Curator: Precisely. This sheet offers us several layers of symbolism to unpack. The cherubs themselves act as symbols of transition, and mourning, between heaven and earth. Editor: The thinness of the graphite lends an almost ethereal quality, but it also speaks to the accessibility of the material, of its broad circulation at the time. Curator: A fascinating look into the artist's process. Editor: It really allows us to see how materials shape artistic thought.