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Circus of Maxentius and Tomb of Cecilia Metella
Private Collection, England / Photograph by John Hammond
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Richard Wilson (1713/14-1782)
Circus of Maxentius and Tomb of Cecilia Metella
c.1754 (undated)
Black chalk on grey paper
102 x 254 mm
4 x 10 in.
Private Collection, England
D272
The view is towards the west on what is currently the edge of the Via Appia Pignatelli, Rome. To the left in the middle distance, stands the round tower of the mausoleum of Caecilia Metella - one of the most imposing classical remains on the Via Appia Antica.
Parsons; bt Captain Richard Ford; given to Sir Brinsley Ford
Inscribed (not by Wilson) lower left corner in black chalk: The Tomb of Cecilia Metella
Inscribed lower centre right in black chalk in same hand: Circus of Maxentius
Inscribed lower right corner in black chalk in a different hand: R. Wilson
The Circus of Maxentius was known in the 18th century as the Circus of Caracalla. It was part of a palace complex flanking the Via Appia Antica, built by the Emperor Maxentius in 306-12 AD. The Tomb of Cecilia Metella is a mausoleum located just outside Rome at the three mile marker of the Via Appia. It was built during the 1st century BC to commemorate the daughter of Quintus Caecilius Metellus Creticus, a consul in 69 BC.
D273 Circus of Caracalla, Tate, London
D273A The Circus of Caracalla, Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford
E33 Edward Rooker after Wilson, Circus of Caracalla (from Twelve Original Views in Italy), Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection, New Haven and other impressions
A panoramic view taken on the spot. On the reverse is a rapid sketch of leaves.
Solkin 1978, pp. 404-5, pl. 16b; Walpole Society 1998-II, p. 266, RBF570
The Tomb of Cecilia Metella was described by Captain Richard Ford as 'a favourite "meet" when I hunted in Rome.'
Considerably rubbed and faded