John Yenn RA, Topographical or design drawing for a gothic ruin: perspective

Topographical or design drawing for a gothic ruin: perspective, 1770

John Yenn RA (1750 - 1821)

RA Collection: Art

This is a rare drawing in the Yenn collection because it is not only freehand, as opposed to an architect's ruled elevation, but would appear to be topographical rather than an architectural design. In signing the sheet Yenn has used the term 'delt' (an abbreviation of 'delineavit' meaning drawn by) instead of his usual 'invt and delt', which suggests that he did not 'invent' (i.e. design) the building that it depicts.

The view is of a ruined house, or less likely, a church, showing a pair of large gothic tracery windows, crenelation and broken spires. A tumbled down brick wall can be seen within. Nearby is an arcade of pointed arches, in ruin too. The location is unidentified.

Object details

Title
Topographical or design drawing for a gothic ruin: perspective
Architect/draughtsman
John Yenn RA (1750 - 1821)
Date
1770
Object type
Architectural design
Medium
Pen with black ink and coloured washes in a grey wash border
Dimensions

374 mm x 575 mm

Collection
Royal Academy of Arts
Object number
09/46
Acquisition
Given by Augusta Thackeray 21 June 1865
return to start
back

Start exploring the RA Collection

read more
  • Explore art works, paint-smeared palettes, scribbled letters and more...
  • Artists and architects have run the RA for 250 years.
    Our Collection is a record of them.
Start exploring