Palace on a River 

David Roberts made this drawing, “Palace on a River,” probably in England, sometime in the first half of the 19th century. The building has some of the austere grandeur of London’s government buildings and gentlemen’s clubs. Roberts was a Scottish painter known for his detailed depictions of architecture and landscapes, often in exotic locations. In Britain, a hierarchical society obsessed with class and status, architecture served as a powerful symbol of social order. The neo-classical style seen here, with its clean lines and symmetrical design, was associated with reason, order, and the authority of the state, as the empire spread these values throughout the world. To fully understand this drawing, it's important to consider the social context in which it was created and the institutions, such as the Royal Academy, that shaped artistic production. By researching the architectural trends of the time, as well as the artist's biography and social circle, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the complex interplay between art, society, and power.