Elevation of Garden Pavilion 1715 - 1754

Curator: This drawing, “Elevation of Garden Pavilion,” attributed to Robert Morris and dating roughly from 1715 to 1754, captures a moment in Neoclassical design. What’s your first reaction? Editor: The first word that springs to mind is "imposing," though with a delicate touch. The symmetry, the precise lines—it feels grand, almost like a stage set. Curator: Precisely! It is almost theatrical, isn’t it? Notice the flanking sculptures. These structures would act as gateways to privileged spaces of leisure. The careful detail in the stonework, rendered in print and drawing, shows Morris's architectural aspirations. The piece exists as part of the Met collection. Editor: The repetition definitely creates a rhythmic effect. And those sculpted figures, are they Atlantes, figures used as architectural supports? The choice to have human, if not God-like, forms literally "holding up" a space…it echoes power structures and patriarchal roles, framing ideas of masculinity that literally prop up and allow access. Curator: I agree completely. You’re touching upon a deep and important point. Neoclassicism, which we see on full display here, often served as a visual language for dominance and authority. But the elegance is undeniable. There is a restraint here that balances the overt displays of power. Editor: It certainly prompts consideration about who was *meant* to be invited into that idealized space and garden! It presents an idealized vision. Is there actually a space for real human interactions beyond symbolic representation? How would women move, interact, and live around these "strong" bodies? Curator: Perhaps Morris wasn’t really trying to provide access to all through representation, or indeed design the garden pavilion as an attempt to facilitate interaction between women within such context? Sometimes these kinds of drawings, regardless of intended function, have a more magical presence on paper! The lines breathe differently. Editor: Perhaps you are right! This exchange, I feel, enriches one's relationship with it all! Thank you for bringing Robert Morris's creation to life today.