No.7 Adelphi

As London developed, attitudes to architecture changed. Robert Adam (1728-92), with his brother James, had made an intensive study of archaeological remains at Spalato, Baalbek and Palmyra. And at Herculaneum, the two had discovered Roman apartments which were richly decorated with painted and sculptured ornament. But at Vicenza, they observed that Palladio's buildings were "ill adjusted both in their plans and elevations." Robert Wood had, in 1753-57, aroused an interest in Roman work by his books on Palmyra and Baalbek; but Robert's Adams' book on Diocletian's Palace at Spalato (a splendid building with its interior reinforced by Piranesi's fabulous drawings of ancient Rome), led to an enthusiasm for enrichment, which began now to turn the interior out of doors.