Drawing
1814-1817
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Drawings, two on one sheet, for sculpture and for parts of the Achilles Shield, by John Flaxman (1755- 1826), circa 1814
On the recto a figure of Hope with an anchor within a rectangle and a faint sketch for the same figure.
On the verso drawings of Ares and Athena.
The recto, Profile, less than full size
The verso, Profile, full size 130 x 135
On the recto a figure of Hope with an anchor within a rectangle and a faint sketch for the same figure.
On the verso drawings of Ares and Athena.
The recto, Profile, less than full size
The verso, Profile, full size 130 x 135
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Recto Pencil, pen and ink and wash
Verso pencil on wove paper |
| Brief description | A design for sculpure and for parts of the silver Achilles Shield, by John Flaxman (1755- 1826), circa 1814 |
| Physical description | Drawings, two on one sheet, for sculpture and for parts of the Achilles Shield, by John Flaxman (1755- 1826), circa 1814 On the recto a figure of Hope with an anchor within a rectangle and a faint sketch for the same figure. On the verso drawings of Ares and Athena. The recto, Profile, less than full size The verso, Profile, full size 130 x 135 |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Object history | Flaxman shield of Achilles was based on a description in the XVIII book of the Iliad. He was paid for a design for it in 1810, and a later modified design was produced from 1814. He was paid for the second design in 1817 and in 1818 he was paid for making a model. Five examples of the shield were made in silver gilt. The first two were sold to George IV (RCIN 51266) and to the Duke of York (now in the Huntington Museum and Gallery) and are marked by Philip Rundel and hallmarked 1821-22. The second two were sold to the Duke of Northumberland (sold at Sothebys 3 May 1984, lot 124) and the Earl of Lonsdale (Anglesey Abbey, National Trust) and are hallmarked 1822-23. The fifth shield, hallmarked 1823-24, was sold to the Duke of Cumberland (sold at Sothebys 18 December 2007, lot 159). The shield was also made in bronze.
This design is for part of the second version, and probably dates from 1814 to 1817. Other drawings for this second version are in the British Museum (1894.0403.4 and 1900.0824.182), the Huntington Library and Art Gallery (65.6.62), all showing the scene of war.
Bequeathed by C. A. Ionides, 1900. |
| Bibliographic reference | D. Bindman Ed., John Flaxman, R.A., Royal Academy of Arts, 1979.
David G. Irwin, John Flaxman 1755-1826 : sculptor, illustrator, designer, London : Studio Vista, 1979.
Shirley Bury, “The lengthening shadow of Rundell's”, Connoisseur CLXI, no.648, p.79; no.649, p.152; no.650, p.218.
Robert R. Wark, Henry E., Drawings by John Flaxman in the Huntington collection, 1970.
S. Bury and M. Snodin, “The Shield of Achilles by John Flaxman, RA”, Art at Auction, p. 274- 283, 1983-4.
Sothebys Sale 3 May 1984, London, lot 124. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | CAI.1023 |
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| Record created | June 30, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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