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Provenance: Sir John Leslie, 1υst Bt. (1822-1916);
By descent to the present owner

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Notes: This album has only recently been re-discovered. It was used by John Flaxman during his seven year stay in Italy between 1787 and 1794. Flaxman's Italian experiences transformed him into a highly respected and influential artist as both draughtsman and sculptor.

Within the album there are many studies taken from life, the antique and old master paintings. Several drawings are closely related to Flaxman's illustrations to Homer's Illiad. In 1792 Mrs Hare-Naylor, a cousin of Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, commissioned Flaxman to execute drawings inspired by poems by Homer. The series was engraved in 1793 by Tommaso Piroli (1750-1824) and became highly influential.

The Study of a Nude Man on page 27 of the album appears to be a variation on the pose of Paris in Hector Chiding Paris, plate 13 of the engraved series. The two studies of a Rearing Horse, on pages 45 and 46, echo those depicted in Neptune Rising from the Sea, plate 22. The two Seated Male Nudes on page 50 illustrate the same composition as the figure of Achilles in The Departure of Briseis from the Tent of Achilles, plate 3. The Study of Hands on page 51 take the exact form of those of the Giant seen in Thetis Calling Briareus to the Assistance of Jupiter, plate 4. The two studies of Seated Male Nudes on pages 52 and 53 directly relate to Otus and Ephialtes Holding Mars Captive, plate 11. The drawing of a Male Nude Seen From Behind, page 56, is a variation on the figure of Diomed in Diomed Casting his Spear Against Mars, plate 12.