Composite Order from Rome 1845 - 1870

Alfred Henry Forrester made this pencil and watercolor drawing of a Composite Order from Rome sometime in the 19th century. The drawing depicts the composite order of classical architecture, which embodies the values of ancient Roman society. By Forrester's time, the institutions of art education relied on a canon of classical forms to train the next generation of artists. This drawing is an example of the kind of close study that would be required for aspiring architects. Note the layered composition; the artist painstakingly renders the many components of the column, from its base to its ornate capital and entablature. See the depiction of a procession with bovine animals. These were a common element in Roman friezes which represented civic sacrifice and commemorated historical events. To fully appreciate this drawing, one must delve into the history of architectural education and the role of classical forms in shaping artistic sensibilities. The study of architectural pattern books and archaeological records would be essential to understanding it. Examining such resources allows us to contextualize art within a broader framework of cultural and institutional history.