Explore Collections
You are here:
CollectionsOnline
/
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.
Browse
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
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