FLAXMAN

John, one of the most distinguished English sculptors, born at York 1755, died in London 1826. His earliest ideas on art were derived from casts in the shop of his father, who sold plaster figures, from many of which young Flaxman made drawings and models in clay. In 1770 he was admitted a student of the Royal Academy, and for some time earned a living by producing designs and models for Wedgwood the potter. He also began the series of sepulchral monuments which were ultimately his chief source of livelihood. In 1787 he went to Italy, where he remained seven years, producing some important sculpture, and winning fame by his designs in outline to illustrate Homer, Dante, Atschylus, and later (1817) Hesiod. In 1794 he returned to England, where he was diligently occupied with his profe ional pursuits until his death. He had been elected an a ociate of the Royal Academy in 1797, royal academician in 1800, and in 1810 was appointed profe or of sculpture to that institution. 472 FLAX NEW ZEALAND Works. His works are very numerous, and are to be found all over the country, a considerable number being in St. Paul’s Cathedral and Westminster Abbey, a notable example being the monument of Lord Mans field. They include public monuments in the round, memorials for churches, and cla ical and ideal pieces. His best works are his simple monuments in relief. A large collection of casts from the original models is preserved in University College, London.—Cf. A. Cunning ham, Lives of the most eminent British Painters, Sculptors, and Architects.