Artwork
Crowning the Victors at Olympia. Study for a picture in the Rooms of the Society of Arts.
Crowning the Victors at Olympia. Study for a picture in the Rooms of the Society of Arts. is a drawing by the Romanticist artist James Barry. It dates from 1780 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
This drawing is a preparatory study for a mural by James Barry, commissioned by the Royal Society of Arts in 1774.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts an idealized ancient Olympic competition, symbolizing the promotion of public virtue, a value highly regarded in ancient Greece.
Technique & Style
As a planning sketch for a larger work, the drawing showcases Barry's initial conception of the composition and themes.
History & Provenance
The Royal Society of Arts commissioned six canvases for its Great Room from Barry; another related drawing is held in the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Context
The work reflects the cultural values of 18th-century England, drawing parallels between ancient Greek ideals and contemporary society.
Artist & collection
Artist
James Barry (11 October 1741 – 22 February 1806) was an Irish painter, best remembered for his six-part series of paintings entitled The Progress of Human Culture in the Great Room of the Royal Society of Arts in London.
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