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    300 years
    Return to "Mellon" is linked to these Works 102 items
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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)
    Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection
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    Artist
    Edward Rooker (c.1712-1774) after Wilson
    Title
    Circus of Caracalla (from Twelve Original Views in Italy)
    Date
    Undated
    Medium
    Etching
    Dimensions
    Metric: Sheet: 248 x 343 mm; plate: 184 x 257 mm
    Imperial: Sheet: 9 3/4 x 13 1/2 in.; plate: 7 1/4 x 10 1/8 in.
    Collection
    Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection, New Haven. To license images click here
    Accession Number
    B1977.14.21011(b)
    Wilson Online Reference
    E33
    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
    Acquired 1977
    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, Tate, London (T09296)
    D273A The Circus of Caracalla, Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford
    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.
    Previous Cat/Ref Nos
    Object ID: 49690
    Bibliography
    Booth Notes Doc. 7; 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. E33 is one of the few extant impressions of this etching (along with E33B) to lack Boydell's publication line. This may indicate that, together with other prints in the series Twelve Original Views in Italy, it was first commissioned by Wilson with a view to publication himself, and only later passed or sold to Boydell when Wilson was hard pressed for cash.
    Condition/Conservation
    Bound with eleven other 'original views' in an old leather binding with 'Views of Rome' imprinted on the spine but lacking a title page. Spine of the binding: 254 mm (10 in.)
    Updated by Compiler
    2025-04-30 00:00:00

    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), Royal Academy of Arts, London

    Biographies

    • Edward Rooker (1724-1774)
    • Paul Mellon (1907-1999)

    Documents

    • Edward Edwards, Anecdotes of Painters who have resided or been born in England; with critical Remarks on their Productions
    • Benjamin Booth, Unpublished Notes, Document 6: List of Engravers after Wilson and Biographical Notes
    • Benjamin Booth, Unpublished Notes, Document 7: List of Prints after Wilson's Paintings
    This print is part of the "Twelve Etchings of Views in Italy Yale Center for British Art" sketchbook
    View sketchbook pages
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