Capriccio showing a large symmetrical, courtyarded building in plan and two elevations, which has a square central court with arcading, opening to a series of rooms of contrasting size with four square corner rooms, all within another square court. The upper elevation shows a three-bay centre with balustrade and sculpture linked by three bays of domed pavilions; the lower elevation has a domed three-bay centre linked by pilasters to single-bay pavilions. Also on sheet: three figure sketches.

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Robert and James Adam travel drawings
- Adam Volume 55

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Reference number

Adam vol.55/28

Purpose

Capriccio showing a large symmetrical, courtyarded building in plan and two elevations, which has a square central court with arcading, opening to a series of rooms of contrasting size with four square corner rooms, all within another square court. The upper elevation shows a three-bay centre with balustrade and sculpture linked by three bays of domed pavilions; the lower elevation has a domed three-bay centre linked by pilasters to single-bay pavilions. Also on sheet: three figure sketches.

Aspect

Plan, elevations, figure detailsverso elevation, plan

Inscribed

Inscribed in ink on drawing 28verso inscribed in ink To Roses for the House - 9-96/ To D to Accs of Do - 1-/4/ To Two Mo Wages - 10-0/ Scudi 30-0

Signed and dated

Undated, probably 1755 - 56

Medium and dimensions

Black chalk253 x 203

Hand

Robert Adam

Verso

Pen and chalk capriccio showing an elevation composed of columns, aedicular niches and triumphal arch, all under a continuous attic storey to a courtyard, and a small plan of niches with dimensions. The domestic accounts are possibly in Robert Adam's hand, presumably indicating two months' wages for a draughtsman at a total of 10 scudi.

Watermark

crown and grapes

Notes

The two elevations are probably alternatives of the exterior court that indicates a three-bay entrance. The plan is possibly based on one of the smaller Roman Baths; in the summer of 1756 Robert Adam surveyed the Baths of Diocletian and Caracalla, and wrote that he intended '. . . to show the Baths in their present ruinous condition and from that to make other designs of them as they were when entire and in their glory. . . ' (see J. Fleming, Robert Adam and His Circle in Edinburgh & Rome, London, 1962, p.217). The plan can be compared with a pencil plan of the same scale in Adam vol.9/57.

Level

Drawing

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