The opening of the carnival at Rome

Sandby, Paul (1731-1809)

Allan, David (1744-1796) (after a work of)


Item type:
print
Date of creation:
ca. 1781
Technique / Medium:
aquatint and etching on medium, moderately textured, cream laid paper

    Item location

  • Yale Center for British Art
    Paul Mellon Collection[Museum inv. no.: B1977.14.10962]38.4 x 56.5 cm (sheet dimensions). Inscribed in graphite, upper right on back: "172"; inscribed in graphite, center on back (written vertically downwards): "814"; inscribed in graphite, lower right on back: "[? 959 191]"; inscribed in graphite, lower right on back: "2" ------ Watermarked, center left: "[...] | [...]"

  • British Museum
    [Museum inv. no.: 1865,0610.1004]36.7 x 55.5 cm

Description

Based on a drawing by David Allan now owned by the Royal Trust (RCIN 913351), but previously owned by Paul Sandby, this print presents a view of a lively crowd around an obelisk in Rome, celebrating the opening of Carnival with music, dancing, mischief and merriment. Details include people of varying social classes, horses, carriages, dogs, banners, costumes, masks, musical instruments, and domed buildings.

Iconclass

43A122
Carnival, Shrovetide (non-liturgical celebration)
41A1
civic architecture, edifices, dwellings
43A
festivities
46A11
division into classes ( ~ society)
43C9
dancing
48CC756
popular music, street music - CC - out of doors
48C77
conductor ~ music
48CC7532
small group of musicians, chamber orchestra, jazz band - CC - out of doors
25F
animals
25I153
obelisk
11Q71483
church bell

Instruments [MIMO Code] (notes)

Side drum [2729] (military type)
Natural trumpet [4419]
Tambourine [2746]
Mandole [3397]
Hunting horn [4138]
End-blown horn [5177]
Violin [3573]
Viola [3561]
Piffaro [4239] (or oboe)

Musical works

illegible music notation

RIdIM images


Yale Center for British Art

Image URLs

image link 1
Yale Center for British Art
image link 3
British Museum

Notes

Lettered upper right within image (on flag): "CONCORDIA"; lettered upper left within image (on building): "CARD GASTALDI"; lettered center left within image (on flag): "AL TEATRO"; lettered center left within image (on flag): "CORSO DEI CAVALLI"; lettered lower left within image (on banner): "CONFETT"; lettered lower left below image within plate marks: "D.Allan Invt."; lettered lower center below image within plate marks: "THE OPENING OF THE CARNIVAL AT ROME | The Obelisk near the Porta del Popolo. | Publish'd as the Act directs by P. Sandby St. Georges Row 1st. Jany. 1781."; lettered lower right below image within plate marks: "P.Sandby Fecit"

RIdIM record id

6318