Chariot of Apollo

Sir James Thornhill

1700–1734 · Pen and brown ink, brush and wash, over traces of graphite · Drawings and Prints

As the leading decorative painter in Britain, Thornhill created ceiling and wall decorations for Chatworth (1702–8), the Royal Naval Hospital at Greenwich (1707–21), Hampton Court (1715) and Blenheim (1716), as well as designing a scheme for the cupola of St. Paul’s Cathedral cupola (1714–17). This image has not been connected to a particular commission, but its primary elements appear in many Thornhill ceilings (Apollo’s chariot, for example, is found in the lower hall at Greenwich). Basing his draftsmanship on Italian models, the artist outlined forms fluidly in pen before shading them delicately with brush and wash.

Artist

Sir James Thornhill

Date

1700–1734

Medium

Pen and brown ink, brush and wash, over traces of graphite

Department

Drawings and Prints

Credit line

Gift of Robert Tuggle, 2010