Yet in his own time he was recognised as a remarkable man, renowned antiquary, diplomat, aesthete, scholar, lover of art and music especially of the Italian Schools, garden designer and vulcanologist. He was the first person to commission cork models of tombs to illustrate to visitors the interiors of tombs. Following his sketch of the Trebbia Tomb he decided to provide accurate drawings of ancient vases so they could be reproduced by contemporary artists and manufacturers. His First Vase Collection was published in 1768 and was followed by three more volumes. The First Folio is thought to be one of the most beautiful books of the Eighteenth Century and it inspired Josiah Wedgewood to set up the Etruria pottery works to reproduce ancient vases.
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