Ceiling
ca. 1771 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
Object Type
Robert Adam's ceilings were the masterpieces of his interiors. Decorated with mythological paintings and classical motifs in plasterwork, his ceiling designs echo those of the floor carpets. Fashionable as his interiors were, they did not meet with universal approval. To Horace Walpole they were 'Gingerbread and snippets of embroidery'.
Place
This ceiling is the only piece left from the drawing room of 5 Royal Terrace in the Adelphi, London. The Adelphi (Greek for 'brothers') was a speculative development on the banks of the Thames, off the Strand, by Robert Adam and his younger brother James. However, the exorbitant cost of the foundations, as well as the high tides and pollution of the river brought the venture at one stage close to bankruptcy.
People
David Garrick, for whose house the ceiling was designed, was the greatest actor of his day. He was a friend of Robert and James Adam, whom he addressed as 'My dear adelphi' (Greek for brothers). Antonio Zucchi, who probably executed the mythological figures on the ceiling, was an Italian decorative painter. He is known to have worked in other houses in the Adelphi.
Subjects Depicted
The ceiling is decorated with griffins, scrolls and festoons, with the Four Seasons in rectangular plaques. In the central roundel is painting of Apollo, his horses being fed by the Four Seasons. This motif was repeated on the ceiling of the saloon at Nostell Priory, West Yorkshire (National Trust).
Robert Adam's ceilings were the masterpieces of his interiors. Decorated with mythological paintings and classical motifs in plasterwork, his ceiling designs echo those of the floor carpets. Fashionable as his interiors were, they did not meet with universal approval. To Horace Walpole they were 'Gingerbread and snippets of embroidery'.
Place
This ceiling is the only piece left from the drawing room of 5 Royal Terrace in the Adelphi, London. The Adelphi (Greek for 'brothers') was a speculative development on the banks of the Thames, off the Strand, by Robert Adam and his younger brother James. However, the exorbitant cost of the foundations, as well as the high tides and pollution of the river brought the venture at one stage close to bankruptcy.
People
David Garrick, for whose house the ceiling was designed, was the greatest actor of his day. He was a friend of Robert and James Adam, whom he addressed as 'My dear adelphi' (Greek for brothers). Antonio Zucchi, who probably executed the mythological figures on the ceiling, was an Italian decorative painter. He is known to have worked in other houses in the Adelphi.
Subjects Depicted
The ceiling is decorated with griffins, scrolls and festoons, with the Four Seasons in rectangular plaques. In the central roundel is painting of Apollo, his horses being fed by the Four Seasons. This motif was repeated on the ceiling of the saloon at Nostell Priory, West Yorkshire (National Trust).
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Parts | This object consists of 8 parts.
|
Materials and techniques | |
Brief description | Adelphi ceiling, ca. 1771, British, made for the first floor drawing room of 5 Royal Terrace, Adelphi, London, the residence of the actor David Garrick, designed by Robert Adam, possibly made by David Adamson, painted by Antonio Pietro Francesco Zucchi |
Physical description | Plaster ceiling, with painting in oil on canvas-backed paper. The ceiling is decorated with griffins, scrolls and festoons, with the Four Seasons in rectangular plaques. In the central roundel is painting of Apollo, his horses being fed by the Four Seasons. |
Dimensions |
|
Gallery label | British Galleries:
Robert Adam's treatment of ceilings, derived from a close study of ancient Roman examples, was one of his most influential inventions. Their delicate patterns of low relief ornament and strong colours were set off by figurative panels carried out by Italian painters. This ceiling from Adam's Adelphi development in London, has been only partially restored. On half the ceiling the original painting has been revealed. On the other half, missing areas were painted in in the 1970s to suggest the complete scheme. The areas of plain colour were repainted in 2001.(27/03/2003) |
Credit line | Given by the Adelphi Development Company, through The Art Fund |
Object history | Made for the first floor drawing room of 5 Royal Terrace, Adelphi, London, the residence of the actor David Garrick (1717-1779) from 1772 until his death. Designed by Robert Adam (born in Kirkcaldy, Fife, 1728, died in London, 1792); possibly made by David Adamson (active 1770-1790); painted by Antonio Pietro Francesco Zucchi, (born in Venice, Italy, 1726, died in Rome, 1795) |
Summary | Object Type Robert Adam's ceilings were the masterpieces of his interiors. Decorated with mythological paintings and classical motifs in plasterwork, his ceiling designs echo those of the floor carpets. Fashionable as his interiors were, they did not meet with universal approval. To Horace Walpole they were 'Gingerbread and snippets of embroidery'. Place This ceiling is the only piece left from the drawing room of 5 Royal Terrace in the Adelphi, London. The Adelphi (Greek for 'brothers') was a speculative development on the banks of the Thames, off the Strand, by Robert Adam and his younger brother James. However, the exorbitant cost of the foundations, as well as the high tides and pollution of the river brought the venture at one stage close to bankruptcy. People David Garrick, for whose house the ceiling was designed, was the greatest actor of his day. He was a friend of Robert and James Adam, whom he addressed as 'My dear adelphi' (Greek for brothers). Antonio Zucchi, who probably executed the mythological figures on the ceiling, was an Italian decorative painter. He is known to have worked in other houses in the Adelphi. Subjects Depicted The ceiling is decorated with griffins, scrolls and festoons, with the Four Seasons in rectangular plaques. In the central roundel is painting of Apollo, his horses being fed by the Four Seasons. This motif was repeated on the ceiling of the saloon at Nostell Priory, West Yorkshire (National Trust). |
Collection | |
Accession number | W.43:1 to 5-1936 |
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 | March 27, 2003 |
Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest