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  • image Adam vol.55/24

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.

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