John Flaxman

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Flaxman, John (b York, 6 July 1755; d London, 9 Dec. 1826). English sculptor, draughtsman, and designer, an outstanding figure of the Neoclassical movement. He was the son of a moulder of plaster figures, and after studying at the Royal Academy Schools (where he met his lifelong friend Blake) he worked for the potter Josiah Wedgwood from 1775 to 1787. The designs he produced for Wedgwood not only strengthened his interest in antique art but also developed the innate sensitivity to line that was his greatest gift. In the same period he gradually built up a practice as a sculptor. From 1787 to 1794 he lived in Rome. While there he drew illustrations, much influenced by Greek vase painting, to the Iliad and the Odyssey, engraved and published in Rome in 1793, followed by illustrations to Aeschylus (1795) and Dante (1802). These engravings, which are of exceptional purity of outline, were republished in several editions, and won him international fame. His later illustrations to Hesiod (1817) were engraved by Blake.

Flaxman returned to England in 1794 with a well-established reputation and quickly became one of the busiest sculptors in the country. His monument to the poet William Collins (1795, Chichester Cathedral) and the more important one to Lord Mansfield (1795–1801, Westminster Abbey) were commissioned while he was in Rome. His enormous practice as a maker of monuments included large groups with free-standing figures (Lord Nelson, 1809, St Paul's Cathedral), but his most characteristic work appears in simpler and smaller monuments, sometimes cut in low relief. In these his great gift for linear design was given full play. Flaxman was appointed the first professor of sculpture at the Royal Academy in 1810 and his reputation among Neoclassical sculptors was exceeded only by those of Canova and possibly Thorvaldsen. He was one of the first English artists to be famous outside his own country, although his reputation and influence were based principally on engravings after his drawings rather than his sculpture. University College London has a large collection of Flaxman's drawings and models, and examples of his monuments can be seen in churches throughout England.

Flaxman, John (1755–1826). English sculptor, draughtsman, and designer, an outstanding figure of the Neoclassical movement. He was the son of a moulder of plaster figures, and after studying at the Royal Academy Schools (where he met his life-long friend William Blake) he worked for the potter Josiah Wedgwood from 1775 to 1787. The designs he produced for Wedgwood not only strengthened his interest in antique art but also developed the innate sensitivity to line that was his greatest gift. In the same period he gradually built up a practice as a sculptor. From 1787 to 1794 Flaxman lived in Rome. While there he drew illustrations, much influenced by Greek vase painting, to the Iliad and the Odyssey, engraved and published in Rome in 1793, followed by illustrations to Aeschylus (1795) and Dante (1802). These engravings, which are of exceptional purity of outline, were republished in several editions, and won him international fame. His later illustrations to Hesiod (1817) were engraved by Blake. He returned to England in 1794 with a well-established reputation and immediately became a busy sculptor. His monument to the poet William Collins (1795, Chichester Cathedral) and the more important one to Lord Mansfield (1795–1801, Westminster Abbey) were commissioned while he was in Rome. His extensive practice as a maker of monuments included large groups with free-standing figures (Lord Nelson, 1809, St Paul's Cathedral), but his most characteristic work appears in simpler and smaller monuments, sometimes cut in low relief. In these his great gift for linear design was given full play. Flaxman was appointed the first professor of sculpture at the Royal Academy in 1810 and his reputation among Neoclassical sculptors was exceeded only by those of Canova and possibly Thorvaldsen. He was one of the first English artists to be famous outside his own country, although his reputation and influence were based principally on engravings after his drawings rather than his sculpture. University College London has a large collection of Flaxman's drawings and models, and examples of his monuments can be seen in churches throughout England.

Flaxman, John (1755–1826). English sculptor, designer, and book illustrator. He studied at the Royal Academy Schools, before working as a designer for Josiah Wedgwood. In 1787 Flaxman travelled to Italy to study. During the seven years he spent there, he drew illustrations for the Iliad, the Odyssey, and works of Dante and Aeschylus, which earned him an international reputation. On his return to England he was immediately in demand as a sculptor of monuments and figures; among the best known are those to Lord Mansfield in Westminster abbey and Lord Nelson in St Paul's, although his work can be found in many churches, cathedrals, stately homes, and galleries throughout Britain. Appointed RA in 1800, he became the first professor of sculpture in 1812. He continued to draw book illustrations, some of which were engraved by his friend William Blake, and designs for silverware. Much of his work is held at University College, London.

June Cochrane

John Flaxman 1755-1826, English sculptor and draftsman. At 20 he went to work for Josiah Wedgwood, designing the cameolike decorations for Wedgwood's pottery. Later, in Rome, he devoted himself to sculpture and produced outline figure drawings from Greek vases as illustrations for works of Homer, Dante, Aeschylus, and Hesiod. These were engraved by his friend William Blake. He is well known for his neoclassical memorial sculpture of Sir Joshua Reynolds, Admiral Earl Howe, and Lord Nelson (all: St. Paul's Cathedral).

Flaxman, John (1755–1826). English sculptor, designer, and book illustrator. He studied at the Royal Academy Schools, before working as a designer for Josiah Wedgwood. In 1787 Flaxman travelled to Italy to study. During the seven years he spent there, he drew illustrations for the Iliad, the Odyssey, and works of Dante and Aeschylus, which earned him an international reputation. On his return to England he was immediately in demand as a sculptor of monuments and figures.

Flaxman, John (1755–1826), English neoclassical sculptor and draughtsman. He illustrated Pope's translation of the Iliad and the Odyssey. His illustrations to Dante's Divina commedia were commissioned by T. Hope. He was a lifelong friend of Blake.