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Joseph Bonomi (09/10/1796 - 03/03/1878)
n.d. [c.1865]
Pencil, ink and watercolour on paper
Height: 280mm
Width: 766 mm
Width: 766 mm
Museum number: XP55
Not on display
Curatorial note
Scale drawing on squared paper of the frieze designed by Bonomi for the pediment on the exterior of ‘The Camels’, his house in Wimbledon, mounted in frame.
The Dictionary of National Biography gives a very full account of Bonomi's life and career during which he travelled extensively, became an expert Egyptologist and assisted Owen Jones in the arrangement of the Egyptian Court at the Crystal Palace for the Great Exhibition (1852). When Bonomi was appointed Curator of the Soane Museum in 1861 he obtained a permanent salary for the first time in his career and with his brother Ignatius bought a plot of land in Wimbledon Park, Surrey where they built 'The Camels' in Princes Road. Joseph adorned the house with a frieze depicting a camel caravan, representing the path of life. Photographs of the frieze, in situ are in the Museum's research files - sadly the house has been demolished.
Bonomi died at 'The Camels' on 3 March 1878. He is buried with his wife in the Brompton Cemetery beneath as 'guardian Anumis'.
The Dictionary of National Biography gives a very full account of Bonomi's life and career during which he travelled extensively, became an expert Egyptologist and assisted Owen Jones in the arrangement of the Egyptian Court at the Crystal Palace for the Great Exhibition (1852). When Bonomi was appointed Curator of the Soane Museum in 1861 he obtained a permanent salary for the first time in his career and with his brother Ignatius bought a plot of land in Wimbledon Park, Surrey where they built 'The Camels' in Princes Road. Joseph adorned the house with a frieze depicting a camel caravan, representing the path of life. Photographs of the frieze, in situ are in the Museum's research files - sadly the house has been demolished.
Bonomi died at 'The Camels' on 3 March 1878. He is buried with his wife in the Brompton Cemetery beneath as 'guardian Anumis'.
Provenance
By descent in the Bonomi family; presented to the Museum 2008.
Literature
Sir John Soane's Museum archive: See no.22 in folder of drawings and prints presented by the same donor in 2008 for Bonomi’s description of the iconography of the frieze (unpublished).
Dictionary of National Biography, Joseph Bonomi [article by Peter Meadows]
Dictionary of National Biography, Joseph Bonomi [article by Peter Meadows]
Associated items
XP55, duplicate entry
The gift of Jasper Scovil
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