JAMES BYRES (SCOTTISH, 1735-1817)

Design for a Neo-classical house for Lord Charleville; three sections

Details

JAMES BYRES (SCOTTISH, 1735-1817)
Design for a Neo-classical house for Lord Charleville; three sections
signed and dated 'James Byres Rome 1789' (lower right), and further inscribed with scale and identifications, watermark for 'J. Honig & Zoonen'
pen, ink and grey, blue, rose and ochre wash
24 ½ x 39 ¼ in. (62.2 x 99.7 cm.)

Provenance

Probably The Earls of Charleville, Charleville Castle, Co. Offaly.
Probably Charleville Castle Sale; sold Allen and Townsend, Dublin, 1 February 1948.
Anonymous sale; Christie’s, London, 15 December 1987, lot 10.

Brought to you by

Alasdair Young

alyoung@christies.com +44 (0)20 7389 2837

Lot Essay

This interesting drawing is part of a group of architectural plans commissioned by Charles Bury, 1st Earl of Charleville (1764-1835) when on his Grand Tour in Rome in 1789, from the Romano-Scottish architect James Byres. Sadly none of Byre's grandiose and fantastical schemes are recorded as being executed. Further drawings from this group were sold Christie's, London, 11 December 1985, lot 6 and 15 December 1987, lots 11 and 12. For further information on Byres' career see B. Ford, Apollo, vol. xcix, pp. 446-61.

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