Illustration to the Iliad 1795

John Flaxman made this Illustration to the Iliad as an engraving in 1793 in Britain. Flaxman was a key figure in the Neoclassical movement. In this image, he strips away the excess of the Rococo period, aiming for a pure, linear style, reflecting a renewed interest in classical antiquity. The image depicts a scene from Homer's Iliad, where the river god Scamander is sheltered by two nymphs. Flaxman’s image reflects the period's fascination with classical literature and mythology, but also its evolving aesthetic values. It suggests a shift in cultural priorities, away from aristocratic flamboyance towards a more restrained, rational, and moral vision of art. Art historians use a wide range of resources – from ancient texts to exhibition reviews – to piece together the social and institutional contexts that shaped this artwork. By studying Flaxman and his world, we can better appreciate how art both reflects and shapes the values of its time.