Antique Original Drawing

A very well-executed and attractive study of a palm tree in ink and wash on watermarked brown paper.

Inscribed by Flaxman’s hand ‘In the Garden of Convent of St. Bonaventura. Palatine Hill.’

John Flaxman RA (1755-1826), was born in York and studied sculpture at the Royal Academy School where he met and became great friends with William Blake and Thomas Stothard, he was obsessed with classical myth and his work exemplified British Neoclassicism.

Renowned sculptor and draughtsman, I would date this to somewhere between 1787-1794 when Flaxman was in Italy, a trip that was financed by Wedgwood for whom he was commissioned to design figures for their famous Jasperware pottery as well as being commissioned to illustrate works by Dante, Homer and Aeschylus. This work could easily be a preliminary or inspirational sketch for either of these purposes.

It is worth comparing this to a similar drawing, ‘Trees in the Villa Negroni’ in the collection at The Yale Centre for British Art also depicting a scene in Rome, roughly a twenty-minute walk from this scene.

Later, on return to England, Flaxman became a prolific and monumental sculptor working mainly in marble, his work features in many churches, cathedrals and other important buildings throughout the United Kingdom and his works are held in major galleries worldwide.

Framed and glazed in a later, yet complimentary gilt frame.

The drawing is in good vintage condition with minimal wear as it has been protected behind glass. The frame has some wear around the edge but is largely intact.

Overall measurements: 39cm x 33cm.

The drawing measures 23.5 x 19.5cm.

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