ANTONIO ZUCCHI, R.A.
(1736-1795)
 

Roman Landscape with Ruins and Figures

1760s

pen, ink and wash heightened with white on paper

41.4 x 27.6 cm

inscribed: ant.Zucchi

P.448

A characteristic drawing of Roman scenery with all the ingredients designed to appeal to the visiting tourist. It could also be used to show a potential patron who might be considering commissioning an oil painting of this kind of subject.

Zucchi was born and trained in Venice but left in 1761 for Rome with James Adam, with whom he travelled in Italy in 1762 making drawings for decoration. He returned to Venice but, in 1766, accepted an invitation from Robert Adam to come to London. There he became Robert Adam’s chief decorative painter developing an elegant neo-classical style. He was elected A.R.A. in 1770, exhibiting mainly architectural scenes at the Academy 1770-9. In 1781 he married Angelica Kauffmann (1740-1807), a founder member of the R.A.; in the same year they settled together in Italy.

The most likely date for this drawing is the early 1760s during Zucchi’s time with Robert Adam.    

EJ/JM

PROVENANCE: Maas Gallery, from whom purchased by the Gallery, March 1963.

Copyright © Trustees of Cecil Higgins Art Gallery, Bedford.

Extract taken from Watercolours and Drawings, Cecil Higgins Art Gallery by Evelyn Joll.