Section of one side of the Hall at Sion

Category

Library Item

Item no

28256

Title

Section of one side of the Hall at Sion

Description

Plate I of Vol II Number IV of The Works of Robert and James Adam Esquires

Artist / maker

Adam, Robert

Engraver

Piranesi, Giovanni Battista

Date

1901

Size

40.5 x 55.0 cm

Type

Engraving

Location

Art and Design Library

This is an engraving by Piranesi for Robert Adam of the Interior of the Great Hall. Syon House's exterior was built in 1547 while under the ownership of the 1st Duke of Somerset. The interior was designed remodelled by Robert Adam in 1762 for the Duke and Duchess of Northumberland. The style is a mix of Etruscan and Roman antiquity, Romantic, Picturesque, Baroque and Mannerist together with Scottish Gothic.

The image comes from a 1900 reprint of The Works in Architecture of Robert and James Adam, originally published in 1773 and probably the most significant architectural publication of the 18th century.

The 'Works' helped re-establish the Adam brothers' reputation after the collapse of the speculative Adelphi construction project in London.

The book established the Adam style with engravings of elevations, plans, interiors, furniture and fireplaces. Seats of the aristocracy such as those of the Duke of Northumberland, the Earl of Mansfield and the Earl of Bute are represented, as well as designs for the King and Queen.

The Adams brothers’ works appealed to fashionable society and many clients wanted their houses remodelled in the Adam style. `The Works’ provided a pattern book for such clients and was crucial in making the neo-classical style popular.

The Adam brothers decided to issue the 'Works' in parts, from 1773, rather than publish the book outright. In this way they avoided the lengthy subscription process required to raise funds and the money saved was ploughed back into production. It also provided them with immediate marketing material for their practice.

All five parts were published over the period 1773-1779. The price of a delayed publication was that pattern books of neo-classical style became increasingly popular over the course of the publication of the Adam brothers’ `Works’, reducing the book’s special status.

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Architecture > Monuments > Statues

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