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The image is a sketch showing two figures seated closely together. Both figures are depicted from the waist up. One figure is leaning back slightly, while the other is sitting upright and looking upwards. Facial features are minimal, with simplified outlines of their heads and no detailed expressions. The hairstyles are not distinct. The clothing is flowing, possibly robes, shown with simple lines and shapes. There are no visible jewelry or objects. In the background, there are three abstract figures above the seated pair, suggesting additional characters with minimal detail. The sketch is on a plain sheet of paper without a detailed background, maintaining a simplistic appearance.
National Gallery of Art · Drawing
A Family Addressed by Angels
John Flaxman
- Date
- late 18th/early 19th century
- Medium
- graphite on laid paper (back of a letter)
- Dimensions
- overall: 8 x 7.2 cm (3 1/8 x 2 13/16 in.)
- Classification
- Drawing
- Accession number
- 1980.45.529
- Credit line
- Rosenwald Collection
- Time span
- 1751 to 1775
- Department
- CG-E
Subjects and terms
- Madonna and Child
- religious
- British
- Holy Family
NGA object ID 58237. Collection metadata is reproduced under CC0. This work is included because its NGA published-image record is marked open access; visitors should recheck the source record before substantial reuse.