Explore Collections Explore The Collections
You are here: CollectionsOnline  /  Capriccio showing a curved arcade of columns, supporting a sculptural frieze, in front of which is a sarcophagus on a plinth with an inscribed tablet. In the foreground are Ionic and Corinthian capitals and two diminutive figures.
  • image Adam vol.56/104

Reference number

Adam vol.56/104

Purpose

Capriccio showing a curved arcade of columns, supporting a sculptural frieze, in front of which is a sarcophagus on a plinth with an inscribed tablet. In the foreground are Ionic and Corinthian capitals and two diminutive figures.

Aspect

Perspective

Inscribed

Inscribed in ink 63; and in red ink 104.

Signed and dated

  • Undated, probably between 1755 and 1757.

Medium and dimensions

Pencil, pen, watercolour360 x 306, top 2 corners trimmed diagonally; damage caused by 6 glue spots during removal from previous location

Hand

Robert Adam

Notes

This composition of a sarcophagus against a curving wall may be compared with Adam vol.56/126, attributed to Charles-Louis Clérisseau. A possible source for this drawing is Robert Adam's vigorous and free pen drawing in Adam vol.55/99, which shows a similar curved building with a sarcophagus in the foreground. It may also be compared with similar compositions by Clérisseau and by Charles Natoire (see McCormick Charles-Louis Clérisseau and the Genesis of Neo-Classicism (Cambridge, Massachusetts and London, 1990), p.134, pl.112 by Clérisseau and pl.113 by Natoire).

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