Circus of Caracalla

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Circus of Caracalla
Circus of Caracalla
Circus of Caracalla
Tate, London 2014
title=Credit line
Artist
Richard Wilson (1713/14-1782)
Title
Circus of Caracalla
Date
c.1752-56 (undated)
Medium
Black and white chalk and stump over graphite on grey laid paper, laid down on old card
Dimensions
Metric: 267 x 397 mm
Imperial: 10 1/2 x 15 5/8 in.
Accession Number
T09296
Wilson Online Reference
D273
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. 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.
Exhibited
Tercentenary 2014 (115)
Provenance
William Lock of Norbury; his sale, Sotheby's, London 3-7 May 1821; William Esdaile; E. Horsman Coles; A.P. Oppé; purchased as part of the Oppé Collection with assistance from the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund, 1996
Signature/inscription
Signed lower right corner on archway shadow, black chalk: RW [monogram, the R reversed]
Inscribed in ink lower right corner: WE
Collectors' marks
[1] Ink, lower right corner: WE. (William Esdaile, Lugt 2617)
Verso inscriptions
The reverse is invisible because the card is stuck to the modern mount
Mount inscriptions
[1] Inscribed on secondary support in black ink, lower left corner: 100 x
Subject
The Circus of Caracalla was the 18th century name for what is now known as the Circus of Maxentius. It was part of a palace complex flanking the Via Appia Antica built by the Emperor Maxentius in 306-12 AD. .
Related Prints
E33 Edward Rooker after Wilson, Circus of Caracalla (from Twelve Original Views in Italy), Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection, New Haven
E33A Edward Rooker after Wilson, Circus of Caracalla (from Twelve Original Views in Italy), The British Museum
E33B Edward Rooker after Wilson, Circus of Caracalla (from Twelve Original Views in Italy), Royal Academy of Arts, London
Versions
See 'Links' tab
Critical commentary
The scene is viewed against the setting sun, allowing the artist to capitalise on a sophisicated combination of light and long cast shadows so as to achieve a remarkable elegiac quality.
Previous Cat/Ref Nos
2501
Bibliography
Wilson and Europe 2014, p. 293
Location featured in work
The Circus of Caracalla, Rome
Condition/Conservation
Brown spotting overall