Neoclassical British Architect Robert Adam
The John and Eileen Harris Collection of Architectural Drawings and Works of Art | 26 November 2024
On Thursday 26 November, we will be hosting our auction of The John and Eileen Harris Collection of Architectural Drawings and Works of Art. John Harris was a highly esteemed architectural historian, curator, and champion of country houses, known for his vast knowledge, wit, and vibrant personality. Born with a natural curiosity and a keen eye, Harris was largely self-taught, however, he channelled his passion and talent into a lifelong dedication to architectural history, becoming an authority on the subject. His wife, Eileen, was a distinguished architectural historian and scholar with deep expertise in architectural books and notable architects, particularly Thomas Wright and Robert Adam.In 2001, Eileen Harris wrote a book titled The Genius of Robert Adam: His Interiors which explained how Adam created a movement in the decorative and visual arts world that drew inspiration from the 'classical' art and culture of Ancient Greece and Rome.
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On his return from Italy in 1761, he became a Fellow of the Royal Society, now established in practice, Adam set out to revolutionise English domestic architecture. In place of the rigid grammar of the orders as described by Vitruvius and interpreted by Palladio, he substituted a new and elegant repertoire of architectural ornament based on a wide variety of classical sources ranging from antiquity to the Cinquecento. His style quickly gained widespread acclaim and, within a few years, became the dominant influence on London's architecture, replacing the previously favoured Palladian style.
For nearly 30 years Adam was one of the two or three busiest architects in England, but he was only given few opportunities for monumental design on a large scale. Architectural drawings by Robert Adam rarely appear on the open market, this is due to nearly 9,000 of his works being purchased by Sir John Soane in 1833, which helped form the principal treasures of the Sir John Soane's Museum.
Auction Details
Auction Location: Forum Auctions, 4 Ingate Place, Battersea, London SW8 3NS
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