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Comparative architecture:
Architectural composition to show the comparative characteristics of thirteen selected styles of architecture
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Joseph Michael Gandy ARA (1771 - 1843)
Comparative architecture:
Architectural composition to show the comparative characteristics of thirteen selected styles of architecture
Inscription: Carvers and gilders, S. Barnsley, Fine Art Gallery, 100 Fargate, Sheffield [stamp on verso of ?nineteenth century stretcher]
Museum number: XP6
Not on display
Curatorial note
Exhib: RA 1836, No. 936:
Comparative characteristics of thirteen selected styles of architecture: one of a series of subjects intended to illustrate essays on its divine origin, and natural model to contrast ancient emblematic fabrics with the undesigned aspect of modern buildings; to place in opposition the mannerism of many builders with each other, and to show the progress of edifices in chronological epochs, displaying the detail of practical, philosophical, and scientific constructions. J. Gandy. /
The centre of this sketch exhibits the architecture of Babylonia, Egypt, Greece, Rome and Gothic. On the right appears the Druidical, Persian, Hindoo, Saxon and Saracenic tastes. At the base of the centre is an emblem of the Deluge, a rocking stone embowered in a wood between tumuli mounds. At the summit shines forth in glory, to illumine the pile, the conventional sign of all Christians. It is supposed the idea of the above , and the other compsitions of all fabrics on this globe, will comprise upwards of one thousand drawings, displaying forty national styles of building , with three periods to each. – Vide Sketch 929 in this exhibition -room as an example in detail of the various chosen capitals to the columns of this drawing composed in groups.
[NB 929 Groups of capitals to columns in detail, composed for comparative characteristics in architecture. – Vide Sketch marked 936 in this exhibition. J. Gandy]
Architectural Association, 1982 as E1 Comparative Architecture (or The tower of Babel)
Comparative characteristics of thirteen selected styles of architecture: one of a series of subjects intended to illustrate essays on its divine origin, and natural model to contrast ancient emblematic fabrics with the undesigned aspect of modern buildings; to place in opposition the mannerism of many builders with each other, and to show the progress of edifices in chronological epochs, displaying the detail of practical, philosophical, and scientific constructions. J. Gandy. /
The centre of this sketch exhibits the architecture of Babylonia, Egypt, Greece, Rome and Gothic. On the right appears the Druidical, Persian, Hindoo, Saxon and Saracenic tastes. At the base of the centre is an emblem of the Deluge, a rocking stone embowered in a wood between tumuli mounds. At the summit shines forth in glory, to illumine the pile, the conventional sign of all Christians. It is supposed the idea of the above , and the other compsitions of all fabrics on this globe, will comprise upwards of one thousand drawings, displaying forty national styles of building , with three periods to each. – Vide Sketch 929 in this exhibition -room as an example in detail of the various chosen capitals to the columns of this drawing composed in groups.
[NB 929 Groups of capitals to columns in detail, composed for comparative characteristics in architecture. – Vide Sketch marked 936 in this exhibition. J. Gandy]
Architectural Association, 1982 as E1 Comparative Architecture (or The tower of Babel)
Provenance
Given to the Museum by the widow of Charles Gandy.
Exhibition history
Art on the Line: The Royal Academy Exhibitions at Somerset House 1780-1836, The Courtauld Gallery, London, 17 October 2001 - 20 January 2002
Joseph Gandy: Visionary Architect, Richard L. Feigen & Co., New York, 25 April - 22 July 2006
Joseph Gandy: Visionary Architect, Richard L. Feigen & Co., New York, 25 April - 22 July 2006
Presented by Mrs Lucienne Gandy, 1951
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