John Flaxman

Art Historical Context

This stipple engraving titled "John Flaxman," published in 1823, represents a fine example of early nineteenth-century reproductive printmaking. Created by James after a drawing by William Derby, the small-scale work measures 23.8 × 17 cm and employs the stipple technique—building tones and textures through countless tiny dots—to render a sensitive portrait. Mounted on papier collé, the print combines precision with a subtle, layered surface that was valued for both aesthetic and practical reasons during this period. Stipple engravings like this one played an important role in disseminating i...