Chariot of Apollo

Attributed to Sir James Thornhill British

1700–1734

Not on view

As the leading decorative painter in Britain, Thornhill created ceiling and wall decorations for Chatworth (1702–8), the Royal Naval Hospital at Greenwich (1707–21), Hampton Court (1715) and Blenheim (1716), as well as designing a scheme for the cupola of St. Paul’s Cathedral cupola (1714–17). This image has not been connected to a particular commission, but its primary elements appear in many Thornhill ceilings (Apollo’s chariot, for example, is found in the lower hall at Greenwich). Basing his draftsmanship on Italian models, the artist outlined forms fluidly in pen before shading them delicately with brush and wash.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Title: Chariot of Apollo
Artist: Attributed to Sir James Thornhill (British, Woolland, Dorset (?) 1675/76–1734 Stalbridge, Dorset)
Date: 1700–1734
Medium: Pen and brown ink, brush and wash, over traces of graphite
Dimensions: sheet: 6 7/16 x 9 1/2 in. (16.4 x 24.1 cm)
Classification: Drawings
Credit Line: Gift of Robert Tuggle, 2010
Object Number: 2010.489
Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

More Artwork

By Sir James Thornhill

In the same medium

From the same time and place

A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.

Design for a Ceiling with an Allegorical Subject, Sir James Thornhill British, Recto: pen and brown ink, brush and wash, over graphite<br/>Verso: graphite — Design for a Ceiling with an Allegorical Subject
Sir James Thornhill
ca. 1713

Design for a Baptism of Christ in an Architectural Setting, Sir James Thornhill British, Pen and brown ink, brush and gray wash over slight traces of black chalk — Design for a Baptism of Christ in an Architectural Setting
Sir James Thornhill
early 18th century

A Nymph dancing with a tambourine, George Romney British, Graphite and brown wash (recto); graphite (verso) — A Nymph dancing with a tambourine
George Romney
ca. 1776

Scrapbook of Drawings and Prints, Gideon Saint British, Pen and ink, engraving and etching — Scrapbook of Drawings and Prints
Gideon Saint
ca. 1760

Lindisfarne Castle, Holy Island, Northumberland, Thomas Girtin British, Watercolor and bodycolor (gouache) — Lindisfarne Castle, Holy Island, Northumberland
Thomas Girtin
1796–97

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.