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Possibly unfinished capriccio showing the interior of a hall with coffered vaulting, below which are three large arches with three-bay screens joined by niches; another arch and vaulting opens to one side. Below on the sheet is a small plan for a square roof lantern.
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Reference number
Adam vol.55/118
Purpose
Possibly unfinished capriccio showing the interior of a hall with coffered vaulting, below which are three large arches with three-bay screens joined by niches; another arch and vaulting opens to one side. Below on the sheet is a small plan for a square roof lantern.
Aspect
Perspective, plan
verso perspective
Inscribed
Inscribed in ink on drawing 118
Signed and dated
- Undated, probably 1755 - 56
Medium and dimensions
Black chalk, ink
225 x 267
Hand
Robert Adam (attributed to)
Verso
Unfinished capriccio in black chalk showing an interior with curving colonnade seen from under a vaulted, coffered arch.
Notes
The inspiration for this capriccio may be the interior of Santa Maria degli Angeli, Rome, which Robert Adam visited and studied in June 1755, and of which there are views in the Clerk Collection, Scotland (Clerk 3) (see J. Fleming, Robert Adam and His Circle in Edinburgh & Rome, London, 1962, p.352 (note to p.161) and pl.63). Other comparable drawings are an unfinished interior in Adam vol.4/88; a pencil and chalk version of a similar composition in Adam vol.55/143 verso in the same hand, which may not be that of Robert Adam (see note to 55/143 verso attributing the drawing possibly to Clérisseau); and a composition by Adam in Adam vol.56/131.
The ink overdrawing serves to reduce the composition, cutting out the unfinished vaulted ceiling.
The ink overdrawing serves to reduce the composition, cutting out the unfinished vaulted ceiling.
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