The archival collection of the 1921–3 Rome Scholar in Architecture, Stephen Rowland Pierce, is of immediate interest to those interested in the genre of restoration drawing. Pierce completed studies of historical monuments across Italy, drawing in pencil, ink and watercolour and often collaborating with archaeologists and sculptors.

One of his restoration projects was for the Temple of Olympian Zeus which he carried out in collaboration with Professor of Archeology (and later a fascist politician) Biagio Pace of the University of Palermo. The drawings that resulted from this study, accompanied by an essay and photographs, were published by Pace in the Journal of the Royal Academy of the Lincei.

For some of his drawings, Pierce also collaborated with Alfred Hardiman, Rome Scholar in Sculpture 1920–3, developing a network of interdisciplinary interests and connections.

S. R. Pierce, A sketch completed in collaboration with Alfred Hardiman, circa 1922 (BSR Fine Arts Archive)

The archive also holds historical documents relating to the time Pierce spent at the BSR: correspondence, reports the artist submitted to prolong his residency in Rome, newspaper clippings, and obituaries.

S. R. Pierce’s personal file, Report of study for 1921-2 (BSR Fine Arts Archive)
S. R. Pierce’s personal file, Newspaper clipping, 1925 (BSR Fine Arts Archive)
S. R. Pierce’s personal file, S. R. Pierce’s letter to Evelyn Shaw, 13th June 1926 (BSR Fine Arts Archive)
S. R. Pierce’s personal file, Newspaper clipping, 24th November 1950 (BSR Fine Arts Archive)

Where would you like to go next? Who would you like to meet?

Meet Stephen Rowland Pierce (1896–1966)
Learn more about Architecture at the BSR, 1913–30
Learn more about Photography at the BSR, 1913–30
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