JOHN FLAXMAN 1755-1826 BY W. G. CONSTABLE PREFACE THIS book has Its origin in a lecture delivered at University College, London, on the centenary of John Plaxmans death, and is in the main an expan sion of that lecture. Its excuse is the lack of any reasonably comprehensive account of Flaxmans work, and of his place in the history of English art Fairly adequate biographies exist, however, notably the article by Sir Sidney Colvin in the Dictionary of National Biography and I have therefore refrained from introducing biographical detail except where it has a direct bearing on Flaxmans development and activity as an artist. Of gaps and omissions in my own work I am only too conscious but I hope at least to have provided a starting point for students with greater leisure and opportunities than myself. To acknowledge all the debts incurred in preparing this book would be impossible here. But I am especially grateful to Sir Gregory Foster Provost of University College, for his kindness and help, notably in the matter of publication to Mr John Wilke, Librarian of the College, for much help in obtaining photographs to Messrs, Josiah Wedgwood and Sons for allowing me to consult the valuable material in the Etruria Museum, and for the gift of photographs to Mr. John Cook, curator of the Etruria Museum, for his ready help in my work there, and for many illuminating suggestions to the Deans, Rectors, Vicars, and Vergers of cathedrals and churches throughout England, for their kindness in helping me to obtain photographs and in supplying information concerning monuments and to my colleagues in the British and Victoria and Albert Museums for their ready assistance whenever called upon. Also, I have to thank those who have kindly given me permission to reproduce photographs. The publication of the book has been aided by a grant from the Publication Fund of the University of London, for which I have pleasure in acknowledging my indebtedness. W. G. C. CONTENTS CHAPTER I - EARLY YEARS, 1755-1775 CHAPTER II - WORK FOR WEDGWOOD AND OTHERS, 1775-1787 CHAPTER III - WORK IN ITALY, 1787-1794 ILLUSTRATIONS TO BOOKS CHAPTER IV - LATER WORK, 1797-1826 CHAPTER V - REPUTATION AND INFLUENCE