Flaxman Manuscripts

Manuscript items of John Flaxman, comprising his journal, kept by him in Naples in 1788, consisting of manuscript text and drawings; and a commonplace book containing manuscript notes on sculpture and art and some pencil and ink sketches.

Flaxman was born in York on 6 July 1755. He was a sickly child, but showed a great aptitude for drawing. He spent his early life in London and attended the Academy Schools. He became known as a sculptor and draughtsman, with interests in art, architecture, engineering, construction, naval architecture and surveying. In 1787 he fulfilled a cherished ambition of travelling to Rome where he stayed until 1794, when he returned to London, a famous artist. In 1810 he was appointed Professor of Sculpture in the Academy. He died in 1826.

Open

The papers are available subject to the usual conditions of access to Archives and Manuscripts material, after the completion of a Reader's Undertaking.

The journal was presented in 1865 by Henry Vaughan, and the book in 1921 by Sir Alexander Gibb.

Calm catalogue

Includes a typescript of the main text of the journal.

Normal copyright restrictions apply.