Project for a Tomb, Three Figures and an Angel (recto); Project for a Tomb: Three Figures and an Angel (verso) n.d.

This drawing by John Bacon the Elder, a prominent English sculptor, presents a preliminary design for a tomb monument. It features a central figure reclining on a raised platform, with an angel hovering above and two figures mourning on either side. Bacon's refined draftsmanship, seen in the delicate lines and detailed anatomical renderings, showcases his mastery of the Neoclassical style, which emphasized clarity, balance, and rational form. The composition suggests a poignant scene of grief and remembrance, typical of funerary art. This preliminary study offers a glimpse into the artistic process behind Bacon's monumental sculptures, which were highly sought after during his lifetime.