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John Flaxman

2 of 22 portraits of John Flaxman

© National Portrait Gallery, London

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John Flaxman

by Guy Head
oil on canvas, 1792
29 1/4 in. x 23 3/4 in. (743 mm x 603 mm)
Given by T.R. Wilkinson, 1891
Primary Collection
NPG 877

Sitterback to top

  • John Flaxman (1755-1826), Sculptor. Sitter in 22 portraits, Artist or producer associated with 14 portraits.

Artistback to top

  • Guy Head (1753-1800), Artist. Artist or producer associated with 9 portraits.

This portraitback to top

Painted in Rome, where both Flaxman and Head were long resident.

Linked publicationsback to top

  • Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 220
  • Simon, Jacob, The Art of the Picture Frame: Artists, Patrons and the Framing of Portraits in Britain, 1997 (accompanying the exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery from 8 November 1996 - 9 February 1997), p. 68, 265 Read entry

    Carved and gilt pine, mitred and keyed, the top edge laurel leaf and berry set at an angle to continue the line of the curve of the back hollow (in the same manner as Head's portrait of the Duke of Sussex), the back edge finished at the corners with a berry. 4 1⁄ 4 inches wide.

    Guy Head's portrait of the sculptor, John Flaxman, was painted in Rome where both artists were long resident. The frame's construction indicates that it was probably made in London rather than Rome, perhaps on Flaxman's return to England in 1794 or on Head's return in 1799. The portrait appeared in the Flaxman sale of 1862. The laurel top frame is a neo-classical type, perhaps of Roman origin, which became widely popular in the 1790s and 1800s for framing portraits and especially old masters. The pattern was used again for another portrait by Head in the National Portrait Gallery, that of the Duke of Sussex of about 1798, but with an additional heavy carved-leaf pattern in the hollow of the frame.

  • Walker, Richard, Regency Portraits, 1985, p. 185

Placesback to top

  • Place made: Italy (Rome, Italy)

Subjects & Themesback to top

Events of 1792back to top

Current affairs

The famous seven year trial of Warren Hastings, Governor-General of Bengal, on charges of embezzlement and murder, ends with his acquittal. Pro-Revolutionary philosopher Joseph Priestley's house is destroyed by a mob on the anniversary of the fall of the Bastille. Their actions are later seen as a key moment in the defeat of Enlightenment ideals in England.

Art and science

Mary Wollstonecraft publishes A Vindication of the Rights of Woman; a radical work which called on women to be allies to one another; fearless in their support and free in their criticism.
Sir Joshua Reynolds dies and is succeeded by Benjamin West as President of the Royal Academy.

International

The mob invades the Tuileries and the French Royal Family is imprisoned marking the end of France's experiment with constitutional monarchy and the declaration of the first French Republic.
The Revolutionary Commune is established in Paris.
France declares war on Austria and then Prussia.

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