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    Circus of Caracalla (from Twelve Original Views in Italy)

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    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)
    The Trustees of the British Museum
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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
    Dimensions
    Metric: 182 x 256 mm
    Imperial: 7 3/16 x 10 1/16 in.
    Collection
    The British Museum. To license image, click here
    Accession Number
    1868,0612.1749
    Wilson Online Reference
    E33A
    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.
    Provenance
    Purchased from Brook [sic], 32 Princes Street, Norwich, 1868
    Signature/inscription
    Lettered below the image:
    [1] Upper left: 'R. Wilson del',
    [2] Upper right: 'E. Rooker sc'
    [3] Centre: CIRCUS of CARACALLA
    [4] Publication line: 'Published Jan: 29 1776 by John Boydell Engraver in Cheapside London'
    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
    More Information
    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.

    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), Royal Academy of Arts, London
    • 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

    Biographies

    • Edward Rooker (1724-1774)
    • John Boydell (1720-1804)

    Documents

    • Edward Edwards, Anecdotes of Painters who have resided or been born in England; with critical Remarks on their Productions
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