Face in Profile Facing Left and Monument 

John Flaxman produced this understated drawing of ‘Face in Profile Facing Left and Monument’ in pen and brown ink on paper. The stark composition consists of a face and structure simply outlined against the pale ground. The artwork suggests a concern with the fundamental elements of representation. Lines define the forms, and negative space creates definition, the monument's basic geometric shape contrasts with the sensitive rendering of the human face. These opposing forces, the geometric versus the organic, are also at play with the visual tension between the monument’s static presence and the face’s dynamic orientation. What does this say about the relationship between man and his monumental creations? The visual dichotomy invites us to consider how we create meaning, by juxtaposing different formal elements. The simple graphic style emphasizes the essential components of visual language. This reflects the broader philosophical inquiry into how signs and symbols represent reality. How do the rudimentary structures reflect the cognitive structures with which we perceive the world?