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    300 years
    "Tercentenary 2014" Is linked to these Works of Art
    of 95

    Circus of Caracalla (from Twelve Original Views in Italy)

    Circus of Caracalla (from Twelve Original Views in Italy)
    Circus of Caracalla (from Twelve Original Views in Italy)
    Circus of Caracalla (from Twelve Original Views in Italy)
    Royal Academy of Arts, London
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    Artist
    Edward Rooker (c.1712-1774) after Wilson
    Title
    Circus of Caracalla (from Twelve Original Views in Italy)
    Date
    Published 29 January 1776
    Medium
    Etching
    Dimensions
    Metric: 160 x 235 mm
    Imperial: 6 5/16 x 9 1/4 in.
    Collection
    Royal Academy of Arts, London. To license image, click here.
    Accession Number
    05/4500
    Wilson Online Reference
    E33B
    Description
    View of an arena, framed by a massive stone arch, from which hang creepers. In the left foreground are two figures, one seated with a staff over his shoulder, and a dog. To the right of this group is a boulder and there is another at the right base of the arch. Beyond the arena are several buildings and trees.
    Exhibited
    London 2012; Tercentenary 2014 (116)
    Provenance
    Acquired by 1802
    Signature/inscription
    Lettered below image:
    [1] Upper left: 'R. Wilson del',
    [2] Upper right: 'E. Rooker sc'
    [3] Centre: CIRCUS of CARACALLA
    Subject
    The view is towards the west on what is currently the edge of the Via Appia Pignatelli. 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. Martin Postle has noted that in actuality it is visible only when one stands before the arch.
    Related Drawings
    D273 The Circus of Caracalla, Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford (WA.RS.REF.117)
    D273A The Circus of Caracalla, Tate, London (T09296)
    Versions
    See 'Links' tab.
    Another impression is in the Witt Print Collection, Courtauld Institute, London
    Critical commentary
    Twelve Original Views in Italy was published by John Boydell as a compilation of etchings by different printmakers, produced over a number of years, after Wilson's drawings or paintings. The present print was based on the prime version of the related drawing, D273 (Tate, London). Acquired by William Lock probably while he and Wilson were still in Italy, that drawing is very close to Rooker's etching, e.g. in the lively attitude of the small dog in the left foreground.
    Bibliography
    Edwards 1808, p. 88; Wilson and Europe 2014, p. 294
    More Information
    Part of Twelve Original Views in Italy bound in a 19th century volume with Charles Hullmandel's lithographic 24 Views of Italy, 1818. As Rooker died in November 1774, the plate for this print must have been etched some years before the publication of Twelve Original Views in 1776.
    Condition/Conservation
    Some discoloured spotting. Conserved 2012 by Emma Cox.

    Work of Art

    Drawings

    • Richard Wilson (1713/14-1782), Circus of Caracalla, Tate, London
    • Richard Wilson (1713/14-1782), The Circus of Caracalla, Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford

    Versions

    • Edward Rooker (c.1712-1774)after Wilson, Circus of Caracalla (from Twelve Original Views in Italy), The British Museum
    • Edward Rooker (c.1712-1774)after Wilson, Circus of Caracalla (from Twelve Original Views in Italy), Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection, New Haven

    Exhibitions

    • London, Royal Academy, 8 December 2012 - 17 February 2013
    • New Haven, Yale Center for British Art & Cardiff, Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales, 6 March - 29 October 2014

    Biographies

    • Edward Rooker (1724-1774)

    Documents

    • Martin Postle & Robin Simon, Richard Wilson and the Transformation of European Landscape Painting
    • Edward Edwards, Anecdotes of Painters who have resided or been born in England; with critical Remarks on their Productions
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