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Capriccio showing a wall with a three-bay portico of columns and pilasters, with rectangular relief panels on either side. Above is a vaulted niche with doorway in a ruined superstructure.
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Reference number
Adam vol.55/89
Purpose
Capriccio showing a wall with a three-bay portico of columns and pilasters, with rectangular relief panels on either side. Above is a vaulted niche with doorway in a ruined superstructure.
Aspect
Perspective
Inscribed
Inscribed in ink on drawing 89
Signed and dated
- Undated, probably 1755 - 56
Medium and dimensions
Pen, pencil, grey and brown washes343 x 230, bottom left of drawing has what appears to be a rough repair
Hand
Robert Adam (attributed to)
Verso
Unfinished capriccio in pen and pencil showing a wall sarcophagus supported by two heads, which may be compared with several of Robert Adam's wall tombs, such as Adam vol.55/114 and 115.
Notes
The composition of a deep perspective to one side without any balancing interest is typical of Charles-Louis Clérisseau (see Charles-Louis Clérisseau (1721-1820) Dessins du musée de l'Ermitage Saint-Petersbourg, catalogue of an exhibition held at the Musée du Louvre, Paris, 1995, figs.52-54), although the pen drawing here is considerably bolder. Volume 56 also contains similar but tamer compositions by both Clérisseau and Robert Adam, and there is a view of this sort among the Adam drawings in the Victoria & Albert Museum, London (see A. Rowan, Catalogues of Architectural Drawings in the Victoria and Albert Museum, Robert Adam, 1988, p.37, pl.9); it is possible that this may be the missing drawing from Adam vol.55/66.The rough repair to the bottom left of the drawing probably dates from the early nineteenth century when the volumes were being compiled and arranged.
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