Lot 238: JOSEPH WILTON 1722-1803

SIGNED AND DATED (MAKER'S MARKS)
inscribed with title l.c. by William Chambers

37 by 26 cm., 14 1/2 by 10 1/4 in.

pen and grey ink and watercolour on laid paper watermarked with a fleur de lys and GR, unframed

This drawing is a rare example of the collaboration between Wilton and the architect William Chambers. The two had met in Rome in late 1750 or early 1751 and when they returned together to London in 1755 they worked for many of the same patrons. One of Chambers's earliest commmissions, designing the ceiling for the Duke of Richmond's gallery in Whitehall in 1758, was due to Wilton. Later they both worked for the King, George III, on a number of royal projects - Wilton received commissions for many important monuments and Chambers ultimately secured the plum job of architect of Somerset House.

The present drawing is an example of their collaboration. The drawing of the monument is by Wilton but the inscription underneath the drawing is in Chambers's hand. It is likely, as happened in other instances, that Chambers designed the monument and that it was then handed over to Wilton to execute.

We are grateful to Geoffrey Fisher for his help in attributing this drawing