Bearing a Weight; Preparing to Jump, and Alighting

George Scharf after John Flaxman

National Gallery of Art

The image displays simplified human figures demonstrating different forms of carrying and lifting weights. It includes four line drawings showing figures in various postures related to physical exertion: one holding a triangular object outstretched, another balancing a rectangular weight across the shoulder, a third in a crouched position as if preparing to lift, and the last leaning sharply backward with arms raised. Each figure is accompanied by a dashed line indicating balance, and there are handwritten notes under each illustration describing the action.