Lot 45: ROBERT ADAM ENGRAVING KENWOOD LIBRARY

An elegant antique engraving of one end of the Library or great Room, at Kenwood. Design of the Chimney for the Library or great Room, at Kenwood. Engraving, by J. Roberts. Purchased in London c. 1950s. In frame under glass measures 20"x26"x1: Weight 7 pds, 8 oz. PROVENANCE: A London / Charleston Private Estate. Robert Adam was a British architect and leader of the first phase of the revival of Classicism in England and Scotland. Together with his brother James, he was among the leading classicist architects of his time. The brothers published some of their design 1773-79 in two folio volumes. They commissioned leading graphic artists, among them G. B. Piranesi. Robert maintained a parallel interest in landscape, indeed Robert conceived his buildings in conjunction with their surroundings. Like his contemporaries he was fascinated by the Picturesque and the emotional responses that landscape could produce. The idealized landscape drawings that Robert produced formed part of this interest and were highly regarded during his lifetime

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