Explore Collections

You are here:
CollectionsOnline
/
Capriccio showing part of the elevation of a building with circular arcaded tower and spire above a three-bay recessed centre court, between pedimented wings with shallow domes and obelisks. To the right is a wing of six-bays with a plain attic. Above this is drawn a three-storied domed pavilion with a curved three-bay centre.
Browse
Reference number
Adam vol.55/12
Purpose
Capriccio showing part of the elevation of a building with circular arcaded tower and spire above a three-bay recessed centre court, between pedimented wings with shallow domes and obelisks. To the right is a wing of six-bays with a plain attic. Above this is drawn a three-storied domed pavilion with a curved three-bay centre.
Aspect
Elevation
Inscribed
Inscribed in ink on drawing 12
Signed and dated
- Undated, probably 1755 - 56
Medium and dimensions
Pencil, pen, brown wash308 x 202, trimmed along right hand side
Hand
Robert Adam
Watermark
crown with grapes
Notes
There is a similar tower in the composition in Adam vol.55/22; see also the study for a tower in Gothic style in Adam vol.55/24. The apparent asymmetry of the elevation is probably not intended, but rather the result of the trimming of this sheet when it was mounted in the album. The pencil overdrawing suggests a large composition, with possibly three stories and curving centre, recalling the style of the drawing in Adam vol.55/49, which itself looks towards the vast palace scheme shown in Adam vol.28/1.
Level
Drawing
Digitisation of the Drawings Collection has been made possible through the generosity of the Leon Levy Foundation
If you have any further information about this object, please contact us: drawings@soane.org.uk