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The Remains of the Forum of Nerva, Rome
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Charles Louis Clérisseau (1721 - 1820)
The Remains of the Forum of Nerva, Rome
c. 1760s - 70s
Bodycolour on paper
Signed and Dated: Clerisseau [bottom centre in the shadow]. Undated.
Museum number: P102
On display: Picture Room Recess (pre-booked tours only)
All spaces are in No. 13 Lincoln's Inn Fields unless identified as in No. 12, Soane's first house.
For tours https://www.soane.org/your-visit
Curatorial note
In 1772 Clerisseau, while he was in London, exhibited a small group of works at the Royal Academy (RA Exhibition cat. nos. 49-52). This work could be 51 A view of the Forum of Nerva at Rome, but it is impossible to prove this beyond doubt.
Views of the Colonnacce of the Forum Nervae (see article by Gustina Scaglia) show that Clerisseau's depiction was a fairly exact topographical rendering of the subject rather than a fanciful capriccio.
On the verso is a small sketchy drawing of a draped figure.
Views of the Colonnacce of the Forum Nervae (see article by Gustina Scaglia) show that Clerisseau's depiction was a fairly exact topographical rendering of the subject rather than a fanciful capriccio.
On the verso is a small sketchy drawing of a draped figure.
Provenance
This work is shown framed and hanging in the No. 13 Breakfast Room in a section through the Dome and Breakfast Room dated June 10th 1818 SM Vol.83/1 and so was in Soane's collection by that date.
Literature
Peter Thornton and Helen Dorey, A Miscellany of Objects from Sir John Soane's Museum, p.49
For the accuracy of the drawing of the Colonnacce see Gustina Scaglia, 'The "Colonnacce" of Forum Nervae as Cronaca's Inspiration for the "Corniccione" of Palazzo Strozzi', Mitteilungen des Kunsthistorischen Institutes in Florenz XXXV, 1991 - Heft 2/3
For the accuracy of the drawing of the Colonnacce see Gustina Scaglia, 'The "Colonnacce" of Forum Nervae as Cronaca's Inspiration for the "Corniccione" of Palazzo Strozzi', Mitteilungen des Kunsthistorischen Institutes in Florenz XXXV, 1991 - Heft 2/3
Exhibition history
Visions of Ruin: Architectural fantasies & designs for garden follies, Sir John Soane's Museum, London, 2 July - 28 August 1999
Associated items
Vol 83/1, depiction
Soane collections online is being continually updated. If you wish to find out more or if you have any further information about this object please contact us: worksofart@soane.org.uk