John Flaxman (1755-1826), the leading figure of British Neoclassicism, was a sculptor and illustrator as well as a designer for the world-famous potter Josiah Wedgwood. Flaxman found fame through his drawings of the legendary tales of Homer, Dante and Aeschylus, which were used in books and reprinted throughout the 19th century. He lived in a time of heavy influence from Ancient Greco-Roman art, which was entering England from Italy and Greece through archaeological excavations. Flaxman lived in Rome for several years prolifically sculpting and drawing, and it is here that he drew the 1879 work shown. It shows his remarkable ability to imagine a scene from an epic tale and use clean lines and strong composition to tell a visual story. His minimalist style in illustrations such as this influenced the spread of the Neoclassicism in England.
Awake, Arise, Arouse Her As I Rose thee. The Furies
pen and ink with pencil on paper • 133 x 191 mm
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John Flaxman