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Model of 'a monument' at Palmyra, Syria, 'restored', c.1800-1834
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François Fouquet (1787 - 1870), maker
Model of 'a monument' at Palmyra, Syria, 'restored', c.1800-1834
Plaster of Paris
Height: 38cm
Width: 18.5cm
Depth: 18.5cm
Width: 18.5cm
Depth: 18.5cm
Museum number: MR72
Curatorial note
This model in fact represents only one section of a larger monument called the Tetrapylon which stood at a crossing point of the great Colonnaded Street in the ancient city of Palmyra, Syria. The Tetrapylon stood in an oval public space and was formed of a stepped podium upon which stood four plinths. These supported four sets of columns each of which supported an entablature and roof that shaded a statue on a plinth. Fouquet has replicated one of these groupings. Of this original structure not much remained in Fouquet’s day (only one of the original columns survives today). The Tetrapylon was extensively reconstructed in 1963.
It appears that Fouquet based his reconstruction upon plates XXXII and XXXIII in Robert Wood’s The Ruins of Palmyra, otherwise Tedmor, in the Desart [sic], published in English and French editions in 1753. Interestingly, as with Fouquet’s model, Wood shows only one of the four groupings on columns from the Tetrapylon.
It appears that Fouquet based his reconstruction upon plates XXXII and XXXIII in Robert Wood’s The Ruins of Palmyra, otherwise Tedmor, in the Desart [sic], published in English and French editions in 1753. Interestingly, as with Fouquet’s model, Wood shows only one of the four groupings on columns from the Tetrapylon.
Provenance
Sir John Soane purchased the twenty models by François Fouquet in 1834 from the architect Edward Cresy (1792-1858) who, from 1829 to 1835, worked in Paris. Soane paid Cresy the substantial sum of £100 (£10,136.78 in today’s money). It is likely that Cresy purchased the models directly from Fouquet et Fils.
Exhibition history
Wonders of the Ancient World: François Fouquet's Model Masterpieces, Sir John Soane's Museum, London, 15 July - 22 November 2011
Soane collections online is being continually updated. If you wish to find out more or if you have any further information about this object please contact us: worksofart@soane.org.uk