Architectural Drawing
18th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Elevation showing three bays of the right-hand end of the main façade by leading architect and designer Sir William Chambers (1723-1796This drawing has suffered water damage along its left-hand edge resulting in the loss of the left-hand part of the sheet. It has been folded across the centre and subsequently torn along this line necessitating the use of a modern backing sheet for support.
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 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 | Pen and ink, pencil and grey washes. |
| Brief description | Design of an elevation showing three bays of the right-hand end of the main facade, 18th century, by Sir William Chambers (1723-1796). |
| Physical description | Elevation showing three bays of the right-hand end of the main façade. This drawing has suffered water damage along its left-hand edge resulting in the loss of the left-hand part of the sheet. It has been folded across the centre and subsequently torn along this line necessitating the use of a modern backing sheet for support. |
| Dimensions |
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| Production type | Design |
| Marks and inscriptions | 'Basement Interpilasters and Windows in different Storys' (Inscribed in ink with an indication of proportions.) |
| Object history | Bought from Parsons |
| Production | Attribution note: The paper is partially laid on to white cartridge paper. The partial inscription and the use of proportions in modules and their parts, rather than dimensions, suggest that this drawing was intended as an exemplar. Chambers modified elements to ‘improve’ the example, while retaining the essential structure of the façade. The palazzo had originally been built to Gianlorenzo Bernini’s design in 1664 when the use of a giant order broke the Roman tradition of façade design. In 1746 Nicola Salvi doubled the length of the façade retaining Bernini’s concept but not his proportions. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | Elevation showing three bays of the right-hand end of the main façade by leading architect and designer Sir William Chambers (1723-1796This drawing has suffered water damage along its left-hand edge resulting in the loss of the left-hand part of the sheet. It has been folded across the centre and subsequently torn along this line necessitating the use of a modern backing sheet for support. 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. |
| Bibliographic reference | Snodin, Michael. Sir William Chambers London: V&A Publications, 1996. ISBN: 1851771824 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 7073:25 |
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| Record created | June 18, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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