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FLAXMAN. 1199
NOTE 232.
FLAXMAN.
In Document 266 (p. 555) we read that when Flaxman, the cele
brated sculptor, examined Swedenborg’s skull at Mr. Charles A. Tulk’s
in the presence of Mr. Clowes and Mr. Clover he said: "How beau
tiful the form- how undulating the line here; here’s no deficiency,
Mr. Clowes."
John Flaxman was interested in Swedenborg’s skull, because he
was interested in his writings. He was born on July 6, 1755, at
York; attended the Royal Academy from his fifteenth year, but never
worked in the studio of a master. In 1782 he married Anne Denman,
who exercised a most favourable influence on him and his studies.
In 1787 she accompanied him to Italy, where he prosecuted his
studies in Rome, and where he soon fixed the attention of the friends
of art. In 1794 he returned to London, and in 1810 he became a
member of the Royal Academy, and professor of sculpture. In 1820
he lost his wife, after which he led a most retired life. He died on
December 6, 1826. His most famous works are his outlines to the
"Iliad" and the "Odyssey," which were afterwards followed by outlines
to Dante and Eschylus. The President of the Royal Academy
characterized him as a sculptor in the following language, “Mr. Flax
man’s genius, in the strictest sense of the word, was original and
inventive. His purity of taste led him in early life to the study of
the noblest relics of antiquity, and a mind, though not then of
classical education, of classic bias, urged him to the perusal of the
best translations of the Greek philosophers and poets ; till it became
deeply imbued with those simple and grand sentiments which distin
guished the productions of that favoured people. In piety the minds
of Michael Angelo and Flaxman were congenial. I dare not assert
their equality in Art; yet the group of ’Michael and the fallen Angel,’
is a near approach to the grandeur of the former; and sanctified as
his memory is by time and glory, it gained no trivial homage in the
admiration of the English sculptor, whose ’ shield of Achilles’ his
genius only could surpass."
In respect to Mr. Flaxman’s connection with the New Church,
Mr. Hindmarsh mentions him as a member of the "Theosophical
Society for the purpose of promoting the Heavenly Doctrines of
the New Jerusalem, by translating, printing, and publishing the
Theological Writings of the Honourable Emanuel Swedenborg,"
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