Flaxman

Flaxman, John (1755-1826), an English sculptor, was born at York. His father was a seller of plaster figures, and the lad, his son, used to copy the casts in clay. Showing a decided talent in this direction, he was sent in 1770 as a student to the Royal Academy, and in 1787 he began a seven years' residence in Italy, where he illustrated Homer (published in London, 1805), Dante (published 1806), and AEschylus. He copied much from Greek vases, but while he hit off to perfection the Greek classic style he was able to give life and originality to his works. In 1794 he returned to England, became A.R.A. in 1797, and R.A. in 1800. In 1810 he was appointed professor of sculpture to the Royal Academy, and his Lectures were published in 1829. His works are numerous, and many of them well-known. Among them are a monument to Lord Mansfield in Westminster Abbey, a relief of the poet Collins at Chichester, a statue of Lord Howe at St. Paul's, a statue of Sir Joshua Reynolds, and many other statues and groups.