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Capriccio showing an elevation of a circular Gothic tower on steps and arcade with quatrefoil and gable decoration above, with battlements and turrets, and a brazier or cupola on top.
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Reference number
Adam vol.55/24
Purpose
Capriccio showing an elevation of a circular Gothic tower on steps and arcade with quatrefoil and gable decoration above, with battlements and turrets, and a brazier or cupola on top.
Aspect
Elevation
Inscribed
Inscribed in ink on drawing 24
Signed and dated
- Undated, possibly 1757
Medium and dimensions
Pen, brown wash
154 x 53
Notes
The Gothic style of this composition may be compared with Adam vol.55/20 and the drawings in the Gothic section of Adam volume 54, particularly Adam vol.54/Series 4/9. According to Fleming, the design can be dated to 1757 (see Fleming, op.cit., 1962, caption to pl.75; see also Adam vol.55/4 and 13). The invention here is the Gothic counterpart of the classical composition in Adam vol.55/150.
In terms of the development of the Adam style, this drawing can be seen as a source for the Brislee Tower, Alnwick Castle, Northumberland, of 1778.
In terms of the development of the Adam style, this drawing can be seen as a source for the Brislee Tower, Alnwick Castle, Northumberland, of 1778.
Literature
Rep. J. Fleming, Robert Adam and His Circle in Edinburgh & Rome, London, 1962, pl.75.
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