Flaxman, John (1755-1826), was a British designer and sculptor. Flaxman worked in a Neoclassical style heavily influenced by ancient Greek vases and relief sculptures. He is best known for his delicate and graceful designs for Wedgwood pottery. He produced designs for Josiah Wedgwood from 1775 to 1787 (see Wedgwood, Josiah ).
Flaxman also carved monuments for churches. Among the most notable of them is the monument (1793-1801) to Lord Mansfield in Westminster Abbey in London. Flaxman also designed illustrations for classic works of literature, including acclaimed illustrations for the ancient epic poems the Iliad and the Odyssey and Dante’s The Divine Comedy (1321).
Flaxman was born on July 6, 1755, in York. He was educated at the Royal Academy of Arts, a London-based association of artists. He was made a member of the Royal Academy of Arts in 1800. Flaxman became professor of sculpture at the Royal Academy in 1810. He died on Dec. 9, 1826.
