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Capriccio showing a ruined circular colonnade of the Corinthian order with a broken and overgrown cornice. Beside it is a pyramid and in front of that is a circular altar-sarcophagus.
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Reference number
Adam vol.56/120
Purpose
Capriccio showing a ruined circular colonnade of the Corinthian order with a broken and overgrown cornice. Beside it is a pyramid and in front of that is a circular altar-sarcophagus.
Aspect
Perspective
Inscribed
Inscribed in ink 80; in red ink 120
Signed and dated
- Undated, probably 1756 or 1757.
Medium and dimensions
Pencil, pen, grey and brown washes272 x 206, all 4 corners trimmed diagonally
Hand
Charles-Louis Clérisseau (attributed to)
Verso
Unfinished capriccio in pencil of a circular pilastered building with flanking colonnade.
Notes
A similar circular colonnade with sarcophagus appears in Adam vol.56/89 in a different composition. The inspiration for both drawings could have been the Temple of Vesta (Sybil) at Tivoli, which both Charles-Louis Clérisseau and Robert Adam - and many others - frequently drew (see Adam vol.57/159, and Clerk Collection, Scotland, Clerk 192). The pyramid may be based on that of Cestius in Rome and appears in other drawings in this volume, for examle 56/69. This drawing is either unfinished or has been altered, having one or more figures roughed out in pencil on a pedestal to the left of the building.There is a copy of this drawing by C J Richardson (1806-1871) in the Victoria & Albert Museum, London (P&D 93.G.8/37).
Level
Drawing
Exhibition history
The Adam Brothers in Rome: Drawings from the Grand Tour, Sir John Soane's Museum, London, 25 September 2008 - 14 February 2009
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