Drawing

1754–1756

Rome: Piranesi, Cardinal Albani, Winckelmann

On the way to Italy Adam saw the Pont du Gard, the Maison Carrée and other ancient ruins of southern France; in Rome, with Clérisseau and the painter Antonio Zucchi, he immersed himself in antiquities, grew close to Piranesi and the collector Cardinal Alessandro Albani, and came to know the work of Winckelmann. Other accounts have him in Rome until 1757.

1757

Five weeks at Diocletian's Palace in Split

Adam sketched and directed the survey of the ruins of Emperor Diocletian's palace at Spalato (Split): Clérisseau drew the perspective views and two German draughtsmen the measured drawings. He meant to go on to Greece and Egypt, but the journey fell through for lack of money.

1758

Back in Britain, a practice in London

After nearly five years on the continent Robert set up in London with his brother James, designing complete schemes of decoration: carpets echoed the ceilings, while sconces, mirrors and doorknobs took up the motifs of the room. His collaboration with Thomas Chippendale produced some of the finest neoclassical designs of the age, most notably at Harewood House.

1758

Fellow of the Society of Arts

Adam was elected a fellow of the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce.