View of the inside of the Temple of Jupiter

Category

Library Item

Item no

28248

Title

View of the inside of the Temple of Jupiter

Description

Plate XXXIII of Robert Adam, Ruins of the Palace of the Emperor Diocletian at Spalatro in Dalmatia.
An accurate architectural image of the ruins populated with idealised images of tourists in Roman dress surveying the ruins. The person to the left of the group may well be a self-portrait of Robert Adam.

Artist / maker

Unknown

Engraver

Cunego, Domenico

Date

1764

Size

54.0 x 36.0 cm

Type

Engraving

Location

Art and Design Library

Robert Adam (1728-1792) was the son of Scottish architect William Adam and brother to James. In their joint architectural practice Robert and James forged the Adam style, inspired by Italian classical wall paintings, Roman design, and Enlightenment ideals.

Adam was fascinated with the art of drawing and the architecture of the classical world, and travelled through France and Italy on his Grand Tour 1755 to 1757.

During this period he sketched classical ruins and was tutored in architectural drawing and art history.
A particular inspiration was Diocletian’s Palace in Split, Croatia – an ancient palace built in the 4th century AD.
Published in 1764, Adam’s `Ruins of the Palace of the Emperor Diocletian at Spalatro in Dalmatia’ contains 61 plates of engravings, showing the palace in ruins.

The drawings themselves are not archaeologically accurate, but this project inspired Adam’s neo-classical style and linked his name with architectural antiquity. Adam’s Grand Tour influenced his work for the rest of his career.

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Related subjects

Architecture > Architectural features > Arches

Architecture > Architectural features > Column capitals

Architecture > Architectural features > Columns

People > Entertainment and sports > Artists

Places > Europe > Croatia

Religion > Religious facilities > Temples

Transport > Land > Trolleys

Option	Price
Digital FileElectronic file 72 dpi JPEG	£6.10(inc. VAT 20%)
Digital FileElectronic File 300 dpi TIFF	£31.00(inc. VAT 20%)
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