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

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.