Drawings and watercolours

This elevation of the main facade of the Astronomical Observatory of the University of Coimbra of the authorship, in all likelihood W. Elsden, head of the Office of the Works. Due to the scientific challenges involved, the building for the Observatory received the largest number of projects and was intended to be part of the recently created Mathematics Faculty.
The building fell into ruins.

This plan is the first of a group of eleven detailed drawings by J. C. Magne, illustrating the remodelling work of the Couraça de Lisboa and the accesses to the ‘Alta’, as part of the Pombaline Reform of the University of Coimbra.

At the lower edge of the map is the Sé Velha. Also represented here are the Laboratório Químico, the Museu de História Natural, the Sé Nova and the Observatório Astronómico; on the right, the allegorical figure of the Mondego River appears, framed by the S. Sebastião Aqueduct.

This drawing, a preliminary project for the Botanical Garden of the University of Coimbra, is signed by Manuel Alves Macomboa and dated 1791. The area for the Garden, or Horto, was increased with land purchased from the neighboring Marian convent and was to be installed in the area adjacent to the Colégio de S. Bento, connected to the Arches of the S. Sebastião Aqueduct.

Several figures drawing sketch

Charcoal drawing, highlighted in white chalk, representing several male figure, facing slightly three quarters to the right, head turned back, with the right hand hugs a sheep; on the right, on top, another male figure, half-body, with her back turned three-quarters to the right; below, another male figure, half-body, three-fourths to the right, has his gaze directed to the right arm; to the right, above, a handheld study holding a wire; Outstanding from the drawing is the study of light, marked with white chalk and highlighted by the charcoal shadows on the opposite side of each figure. In the upper left corner a spot of coal, a vestige of the act of sharpening the pencil.

Drawing sketch

Charcoal drawing, highlighted in white chalk, depicting three male figures on their backs, who wear long, broad robes, which cover them almost entirely. The middle figure bears a cap on the head. In the upper left corner a spot of coal, a vestige of the act of sharpening the pencil. The purpose of this design seems to have been the study of the draperies and the light incident on them, because the white chalk highlight is only lateral, marking the whole figure.