# Self-Portrait

**John Flaxman** (English, 1755–1826)  
c. 1779  
Red chalk on cream laid paper  
30.6 × 17.5 cm (12 1/16 × 6 15/16 in.)

Courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago, 1924.122. [The museum's record](https://www.artic.edu/artworks/11706).

## About this work

John Flaxman drew himself in red chalk around 1779, in his mid-twenties, when he was designing reliefs and portrait medallions for Josiah Wedgwood’s pottery. He later became famous across Europe for his illustrations to Homer, Aeschylus and Dante, drawn in a pure, flowing outline inspired by Greek vase painting, and he was the first professor of sculpture at the Royal Academy. This early sheet shows the careful observation that underpinned his more abstract later style.

_Written by Ochre Editions._

John Flaxman painted this in about 1779, aged about 20. It is now at the Art Institute of Chicago.

### What you’re looking at

A work made of red chalk on cream laid paper.

_Description from the Art Institute of Chicago._

### How it was made

- **Chalk.** Natural black, red and white chalks. Used together on toned paper they could give the warmth of flesh with very little effort, and they were favourites for studies from life.
- **Laid paper.** Handmade on a mould of close-set wires, which leave fine parallel lines you can see when the sheet is held to the light.

### [John Flaxman](https://www.ochreeditions.com/artists/john-flaxman)

English, 1755–1826

Flaxman trained at the Royal Academy Schools and first made his name modelling designs for Josiah Wedgwood’s jasperware. During seven years in Rome he produced outline illustrations to Homer, Aeschylus and Dante, engraved and published to international acclaim; their pure, linear style influenced artists across Europe. Back in London he became a leading sculptor of funerary monuments and the first Professor of Sculpture at the Royal Academy.

_Written by Ochre Editions._

## Facts

- Type: Drawing and Watercolor
- Culture: England
- The artist was about 20
- Real size: about 12 × 6½ in (30 × 17 cm). Closest to life size: the 8 × 10 in print.
- Century: 18th century
- Colour: white
- Rights: public domain (CC0 1.0); free to use for any purpose.

## Get it

- Free download, full resolution: https://img.ochreeditions.com/m/22.jpg?dl=1
- Image: https://img.ochreeditions.com/a/22/1920.jpg
- Giclée reproduction on Hahnemühle Photo Rag: 8 × 10 in $28; 11 × 14 in $38; 12 × 16 in $42; 16 × 20 in $56; 18 × 24 in $68; 20 × 30 in $86; 24 × 36 in $108; 30 × 40 in $148
- Framed reproduction: 8 × 10 in $78; 11 × 14 in $98; 12 × 16 in $108; 16 × 20 in $138; 18 × 24 in $164; 20 × 30 in $208; 24 × 36 in $258; 30 × 40 in $338
- Canvas reproduction: 8 × 10 in $58; 11 × 14 in $72; 12 × 16 in $79; 16 × 20 in $98; 18 × 24 in $118; 20 × 30 in $148; 24 × 36 in $178; 30 × 40 in $228
- Print-ready file: 8 × 10 in $2; 11 × 14 in $2; 12 × 16 in $3; 16 × 20 in $3; 18 × 24 in $3; 20 × 30 in $5; 24 × 36 in $5; 30 × 40 in $5

Sizes stop where the museum's file would print below 150 pixels per inch. Everything sold is a reproduction, made to order. [Order a print](https://www.ochreeditions.com/art/self-portrait-aic-11706).