Reviews

摘要

Beyond any doubt the crucial period in the formation of what we call 'the Adam Style' was that spell in Italy when first Robert (between 1755 and 1757) and then James Adam (1760-3) made their Grand Tours. They went thither, and spent their sojourns there, with dual personalities: as young architects already trained in Scotland they sought to advance their careers; as rich young milordi inglesi (or even cavalieri scozzesi) they travelled widely,mixed in the best society and collected lavishly. In their first personae they drew after the Antique and from the ancient buildings in Rome and other major sites. In the second, they bought paintings and drawings in profusion, together with ancient sculpture and architectural fragments, some to keep and some to resell back in London. Connoisseur ship and commerce converged in their role as agents and dealers. James's greatest coup was the purchase of the vast Albani collection for King George III.