Biography of John Flaxman 1755-1826

On 06 Jul 1755 John Flaxman was born to John Flaxman (age 29) in York [Map]

After 22 Sep 1773. Church of St Edmund, Holme Pierrepoint [Map]. Monument to Evelyn Pierrepont 2nd Duke Kingston upon Hull (deceased). Probably sculpted by John Flaxman (age 18).

1779. John Flaxman (age 23). Self-portrait.

In 1782 John Flaxman (age 26) and Anne Denman (age 22) were married. They lived at Wardour Street Soho [Map].

In 1787 John Flaxman (age 31) and [his wife] Anne Denman (age 27) moved to Rome, Italy [Map] where they lived until 1794 when they re-settled at 7 Buckingham Street Fitzroy Square.

In Mar 1791 Henry Howard (age 22) travelled to Rome, Italy [Map] where he met and studied scuplture with John Flaxman (age 35).

After 06 Nov 1794. Church of St Leonard, Wortley [Map]. Memorial to Margaret Cunynghame (age 48) sculpted by John Flaxman (age 39).

Margaret Cunynghame: On 13 Dec 1745 she was born to David Cunynghame 3rd Baronet. On 08 Jun 1767 James Archibald Stuart-Wortley-Mackenzie and she were married. He the son of John Stuart 3rd Earl Bute and Mary Wortley-Montagu Countess Bute. On 13 Jan 1808 she died. She was buried at the Church of St Leonard, Wortley [Map].

After 1796 . Memorial at Bradford Cathedral [Map] to Abraham Balme main promoter of the Bradford Canal, sculpted by John Flaxman (age 40).

Around 1797. Henry Howard (age 27). Portrait of John Flaxman (age 41).

Between 1798 and 1802 Joseph Gott (age 12) was apprenticed to John Flaxman (age 42).

Before 1799 Joseph Theakston (age 26) was a pupil of John "The Elder" Bacon (age 58). He also studied under John Flaxman (age 43).

On 16 Aug 1800 Admiral Samuel Barrington (age 69) died. He has a monument sculpted by John Flaxman (age 45) at St Andrew's Church, Shrivenham.

In 1803 [his father] John Flaxman (age 77) died.

After 1804. All Saints Church, Thirkleby, North Yorkshire [Map]. Memorial to four of the children of Thomas Frankland 6th Baronet (age 53) and Dorothy Smelt Lady Thirkleby (age 54) who died young. Sculpted by John Flaxman (age 48).

In 1810 [his sister] Mary Ann Flaxman (age 42) moved into the home of her brother John Flaxman (age 54) at 7 Buckingham Street Fitzroy Square.

On 10 Jan 1811 William Saltren died. Church of St Edmund, Holme Pierrepoint [Map]. Sculpted by John Flaxman (age 55).

On 16 Apr 1813 Matthew White Ridley 2nd Baronet (age 67) died. His son Matthew (age 34) succeeded 3rd Baronet Ridley of Blagdon in Northumberland.

Monument at the Cathedral Church St Nicholas, Newcastle upon Tyne [Map] sculpted by John Flaxman (age 57).

Matthew White Ridley 2nd Baronet: On 28 Oct 1745 he was born to Matthew Ridley and Elizabeth White. In 1763 Matthew White 1st Baronet died. His nephew Matthew succeeded 2nd Baronet Ridley of Blagdon in Northumberland.

Matthew White Ridley 3rd Baronet: On 18 Apr 1778 he was born to Matthew White Ridley 2nd Baronet. In 1813 Matthew White Ridley 3rd Baronet was elected MP Newcastle upon Tyne. On 14 Jul 1836 Matthew White Ridley 3rd Baronet died. His son Matthew succeeded 4th Baronet Ridley of Blagdon in Northumberland.

On 04 Sep 1815 Harriet Susan Dashwood (age 32) died. Memorial in Christchurch Priory [Map] sculpted by John Flaxman (age 60).

Harriet Susan Dashwood: In 1783 she was born to Francis Bateman Dashwood. On 17 Jun 1806 James Edward Harris 2nd Earl Malmesbury and she were married. He the son of James Harris 1st Earl Malmesbury and Harriet Maria Amyand Countess Malmesbury.

On 06 Feb 1817 Sophia Hinde Lady Hesketh (age 39) died. She was buried at St Mary The Virgin Church, Rufford [Map]. Monument by John Flaxman (age 61).

Sophia Hinde Lady Hesketh: In 1778 she was born. On 01 Feb 1798 Thomas Dalrymple Hesketh 3rd Baronet and she were married. She by marriage Lady Hesketh of Rufford in Lancashire.

On 07 Feb 1820 [his wife] Anne Denman (age 60) died. Her sister [his sister-in-law] Maria Denman (age 44) continued to live with Anne's husband John Flaxman (age 64) as did John Flaxman's sister [his sister] Mary Ann Flaxman (age 52).

On 30 Dec 1820 Agneta Johnson (age 80) died. Buried at St Andrew's Church, Wimpole [Map].

Inscription tablet flanked by pilasters with figures of her husband in robes of state and of two sons, and with medallion portrait at the head, all in white marble, signed 'J. FLAXMAN (age 65), R.A. Sculptor'

Agneta Johnson: On 11 Nov 1740 she was born to Henry Johnson of Berkhamstead in Hertfordshire. On 30 Dec 1762 Charles Yorke and she were married. He the son of Philip Yorke 1st Earl of Hardwicke and Margaret Cocks Countess Hardwicke.

Before 1826 . John Jackson (age 47). Portrait of John Flaxman (age 70).

Before 07 Dec 1826. Henry Howard (age 57). Portrait of John Flaxman (age 71).

On 07 Dec 1826 John Flaxman (age 71) died. His sister-in-law [his former wife] Anne Denman and half-sister [his sister] Mary Ann Flaxman (age 58) were co-executors of his estate.

In 1827 Richard Westmacott (age 51) was appointed Royal Academy professor of sculpture succeeding John Flaxman.

Cansick's Monumental Inscriptions Volume 2 St Giles' Cemetery, Kings Road. Here rest the mortal remains of [his former wife] Ann Flaxman, The virtuous and beloved wife of John Flaxman, R.A.P.S., Whose soul returned to the Almighty Creator and Blessed Redeemer On the 7^th of February, In the year of Our Lord, 1820, And the 60^th year of her age. Under the same stone Is interred her husband, John Flaxman, R.A.P.S.¹, Whose mortal life Was a constant preparation For a blessed immortality. His angelic spirit returned to the Divine Giver On the 7th of December, 1826, In the 72^nd year of his age.

Also in the same vault Are deposited the mortal remains of [his sister] Mary Ann Flaxman (deceased), Sister of the above John Flaxman, Whose gentle spirit returned to the Divine Giver On the 17^th of April, 1833, in the 65^th year of her age.

Note 1. Mr. John Flaxman, was born at York, 1755. From boyhood lie displayed a remarkable genius for modelling in clay.

In 1787 he visited Rome, where, during a residence of seven years, he executed his celebrated designs in outline from Homer, Æschylus and Danté.

These were engraved and published, as were some which he made from Hesiod.

Whilst at Rome he also executed the splendid group from Ovid's Metamorphoses entitled "The Fury of Athamas;" consisting of four figures larger than life. For this work he received only £6oo; an amount very much below the cost. It was executed for the Earl of Bristol. In 1794 he returned to England and executed the monument for Lord Mansfield, now in Westminster Abbey. For this he received £2,500. After this he produced a large number of fine works, and was considered the greatest of modem sculptors. His collections of drawings and models he bequeathed to the University of London, to form a Flaxman Gallery.

St Mary's Church, Kirkby, Fleetham [Map]. Monuments:

Cross-legged effigy of Sir Nicholas Stapleton, died 1290, in good condition, lion at feet, sword, shield and chainmail helmet. Now resting in C19 pointed-arched niche on blind quatrefoiled chest.

William Lawrence, died 1785, by Flaxman. A bust of a young man on a round pillar, with mourning woman to one side, his wife Anne Sophie, heiress to the Studley Royal estate. This is set against a grey marble slab with a pointed-arched top..

St Mary's Church, Old Basing [Map]. There are several large and small wall monuments (one by John Flaxman 1784), hatchments (one with the Royal Coat of Arms of 1660).

Church of St Peter Kirkthorpe [Map]. The chief merit of the church is a fine collection of C18 wall monuments. The most important of these is the Stringer Monument by Guelfi: 2 detached busts on a sarcophagus with straight tapering sides; background by Kent with inscription, a frame starting from 2 big volutes and crowned by an open-segmental pediment carved coat-or-arms with putti. The Smyth chapel has numerous monuments dating from 1731; including that to John Smyth of 2 putti uncovering his portrait on an oval medallion, that to Lady Georgina Smyth and others signed by Flaxman; 1799.

St Michael and Our Lady's Church, Wragby [Map]. Wall monument to Sir Rowland Winn 4th baronet by John Flaxman, 1806.

St Giles' Church, Badger [Map]:

Memorial to Isaac Hawkins Browne and his second wife, Elizabeth, by Francis Leggatt Chantrey.

Memorial to Browne's mother and first wife by John Flaxman.

Memorial to Elizabeth Kynnersley, who died in 1649.

St Michael and All Angels Church, Ledbury [Map]. Monument to William Miles (d.1803) by John Flaxman. A small unnamed boy apparently asleep lies under the watchful care of two angels at Ledbury. Sculptors Thomas and Mary Thorneycroft.