Drawing
18th century (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
Sketches of decorative details by leading architect and designer Sir William Chambers (1723-1796). The small sheet had been cut into four unequal parts but has now been re-united. It shows a series of rapid pencil sketches including a tall vase with ornamental spray; a tall, possibly winged figure; a smaller vase with rinceaux; a sitting winged sphinx; a griffin; an ornamented structure topped with a ram's head; part of an elaborate frame with an oval medallion (linked to smaller circular one by band of foliage); and part of a complex decorative motif, possibly for furniture (partly shown). In spite of the free design-like character of these sketches they should probably be seen as showing details of wall decorations in paint or plaster.
Chambers was born in Sweden and died in London. He travelled widely, visiting China, and studied architecture at the Ecole des Arts, Paris, from 1749 and in Italy from 1750 to 1755. Many of his drawings from this period are contained in his important 'Franco-Italian' album, held in the V&A. Chambers moved to London in 1755 and published his influential Treatise on Civil Architecture in 1759. Chambers demonstrated the breadth of his style in buildings such as Gower (later Carrington) House and Melbourne House, London, in such country houses as Duddingston, Scotland, and in the garden architecture he designed for Wilton House, Wiltshire, and at Kew Gardens. He became head of government building in 1782, and in this capacity built Somerset House, London.
Chambers was born in Sweden and died in London. He travelled widely, visiting China, and studied architecture at the Ecole des Arts, Paris, from 1749 and in Italy from 1750 to 1755. Many of his drawings from this period are contained in his important 'Franco-Italian' album, held in the V&A. Chambers moved to London in 1755 and published his influential Treatise on Civil Architecture in 1759. Chambers demonstrated the breadth of his style in buildings such as Gower (later Carrington) House and Melbourne House, London, in such country houses as Duddingston, Scotland, and in the garden architecture he designed for Wilton House, Wiltshire, and at Kew Gardens. He became head of government building in 1782, and in this capacity built Somerset House, London.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Materials and techniques | Pencil. Areas of grey and brown watercolour on the verso |
Brief description | Sketches of decorative details, 18th century, Sir William Chambers (1723-1796). |
Physical description | Sketches of decorative details. The small sheet had been cut into four unequal parts but has now been re-united. It shows a series of rapid pencil sketches including a tall vase with ornamental spray; a tall, possibly winged figure; a smaller vase with rinceaux; a sitting winged sphinx; a griffin; an ornamented structure topped with a ram's head; part of an elaborate frame with an oval medallion (linked to smaller circular one by band of foliage); and part of a complex decorative motif, possibly for furniture (partly shown). |
Dimensions |
|
Production type | Design |
Marks and inscriptions | (Watermark: M or WD.) |
Object history | Bought from Parsons |
Production | Attribution note: In spite of the free design-like character of these sketches they should probably be seen as showing details of wall decorations in paint or plaster. |
Subjects depicted | |
Summary | Sketches of decorative details by leading architect and designer Sir William Chambers (1723-1796). The small sheet had been cut into four unequal parts but has now been re-united. It shows a series of rapid pencil sketches including a tall vase with ornamental spray; a tall, possibly winged figure; a smaller vase with rinceaux; a sitting winged sphinx; a griffin; an ornamented structure topped with a ram's head; part of an elaborate frame with an oval medallion (linked to smaller circular one by band of foliage); and part of a complex decorative motif, possibly for furniture (partly shown). In spite of the free design-like character of these sketches they should probably be seen as showing details of wall decorations in paint or plaster. Chambers was born in Sweden and died in London. He travelled widely, visiting China, and studied architecture at the Ecole des Arts, Paris, from 1749 and in Italy from 1750 to 1755. Many of his drawings from this period are contained in his important 'Franco-Italian' album, held in the V&A. Chambers moved to London in 1755 and published his influential Treatise on Civil Architecture in 1759. Chambers demonstrated the breadth of his style in buildings such as Gower (later Carrington) House and Melbourne House, London, in such country houses as Duddingston, Scotland, and in the garden architecture he designed for Wilton House, Wiltshire, and at Kew Gardens. He became head of government building in 1782, and in this capacity built Somerset House, London. |
Associated objects | |
Bibliographic reference | Snodin, M. Sir William Chambers. London: V&A Publications, 1996.
|
Collection | |
Accession number | 7078:18 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
Record created | June 30, 2009 |
Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest