'The Evolution of Religious Architecture, after Le Moine and Michelinot', John Flaxman

Artwork details

Artist

John Flaxman (1755‑1826)

Title

The Evolution of Religious Architecture, after Le Moine and Michelinot

From Album of Drawings, Mainly by Flaxman

Date ?c.1810

MediumGraphite and ink on paper

Dimensionssupport: 387 x 270 mm

Collection

Tate

Acquisition Purchased as part of the Oppé Collection with assistance from the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund 1996

Reference

T10193

View this artwork by appointment, at Tate Britain's Prints and Drawings Rooms

Display caption

Flaxman was the son of a sculptor and he became one of the foremost European neo-classical sculptors of his day. In 1810 he was appointed the first Professor of Sculpture at the Royal Academy. This drawing is a tracing from a book published in Paris in 1770, 'Les Ruines des plus beaux monuments de la Grece'. The book with its views of ancient Greek buildings was very influential in spreading the taste for the neo-classical style in the eighteenth century. The tracing was probably made by Flaxman as part of his background research for the Academy lectures which he delivered annually from 1811.

September 2004