Sketch of a Classical Pedestal 1776 - 1779

Thomas Hardwick created this pencil sketch of a classical pedestal, but we don't know exactly when. Hardwick was an English architect, and this sketch gives us insight into the 18th-century obsession with classical forms and their use in the design of buildings. Here, Hardwick meticulously documents the pedestal's ornamental details. We see ram’s head carvings and eagles - motifs pulled from ancient Roman art. Latin inscriptions are prominently displayed, asserting a connection to the glory of the Roman Empire. This wasn't just about aesthetics. In the 1700s, classical architecture was seen as embodying ideals of order, reason, and civic virtue. Architects like Hardwick used these forms to create buildings that spoke to the values of their own society. Studying architectural drawings like this one alongside historical texts, political pamphlets, and accounts of building projects helps us understand the social and institutional roles architecture played in shaping British society.