'Introduction', continued: 832/12.A.f.4

Materials used in production

Ink

Components of the work

Support composed of paper
Leaf Height 330 mm Width 190 mm

Techniques used in production

Handwriting : Pen and ink on ruled paper

Inscription or legends present

• Text: figure was in the Albani Villa , and another duplicate / of the head is in the Marquis of Lansdown's Collection, / the frequent repetitions of this statue the estimation in / which it was held by the Ancient's may reasonably lead us to believe they are all copies from one by / Phidias, mentioned by Pliny in the enumeration of / that sculptors works, the severe & simple beauty of it's / character, together with the resemblance to a figure / on the reverse of an Athenian coin published by Dr. Coombe in Hunters Collection gives additional / countenance to this remark[deleted] opinion / On the left of this statue sits Menander & on the right Posidyppus, both Comic poets, the learned Visconti has / offered arguments which appear to be unanswerable for / believeing them to be the portraits of those Authors which / were in the Theatre of Athens. / On the side of the steps next the window stands a / Roman whose head is covered by his Toga which / descends to his feet in majestic abundance. His counte / =nance resembles the Scipio Family & answers in dress / to a description of Scipio Nasica quoted by Ferrarius / de re Vestiaria / The figure of Juno has an air of sublime dignity, / the original is in the Capitol. / The Achilles which faces the Minerva, as an example of heroic strength in grand and decided / form_ this statue was in the Borghese Villa, it is now in / Paris with the whole of that collection which once belonged / to the Borghese Family. / The Group commonly named Papirius & his mother / but much more likely to be Electra & Orestes, or Penelope & / Telemacus, of a pure style & natural sentiment. The group generally known as Paetas & Aria, but more likely Macareus son of Aeolus & Canace his wife, or Hamon
• Location: Recto
• Method of creation: Ink

• Text: & Antigone, the sentiment is Despair & union, the male / figure whilst he inflicts the mortal wound upon himself, / supports with desperate energy his beloved wife sinking / to the ground in death, the lines of this group unite the charms of Harmony & force of contrast in the power of / expression. We shall now notice 11 Statues in one paragraph / as being one family, they are Mnemosyne the mother of[deleted] her / daughters the 9 Muses & Apollo their leader_ Thalia / has the beauty of early youth in modesty, Melpomene / is known by an heroic attitude similar to Egeus the father / of Theseus or Jason, Enterpe is distinguished by a regal / grace_ Calliope & Clio by Doric simplicity & mental occu / =pation in bodily rest, Apollo the leader of the Muses in / this series is known for a celebrated statue among the / ancients by some reverse of Nero's Coins. / Besides the purposes of study for which these Statues / are highly valuable in a school of Design, their presence / has converted the Councel[sic] Chamber into an Homeric / Olympus where none approach without the mingled sen / =timent of delight & awe! / In the Plaster Academy is the group of Pylades & Orestes / Offering Sacrifice, the statue of Germanicus delivering / an oration, / The Collossal Barberini Faun, remarkable for the / fierce, elastic forms of muscle & tendon proper to the moun / =tainous & Sylvan habits of the race. / These cursory notices shall be closed with the Diana / discharging an arrow from the original marble in the / Gallery of Paris, this beautiful & interesting statue / has long been the rightful property of the French Monarchs, / it has been considered by some learned men & professional / judges, as resembling the Apollo Belvidere in countenance / & general character to a degree that may warrant an opinion / the are
• Location: Verso
• Method of creation: Ink

Identification numbers

Accession number: 832/12.A.f.4
Primary reference Number: 40856
Stable URI

Audit data

Associated departments & institutions

Owner or interested party: The Fitzwilliam Museum
Associated department: Paintings, Drawings and Prints