The head of Achilles was modeled on the antiquarian Philipp von Stosch, "a notorious spy, homoerotic fop and gem collector" [2] Adam was elected a member of the Roman artists' guild, the Accademia di San Luca in 1732.

His design was unanimously accepted, and the processes by which the decision was reversed in favor of Nicola Salvi and his student Luigi Vanvitelli are not altogether clear.

He also restored with much ability the 12 statues (Lycomedes) found in the so-called Villa of Marius in Rome, and was elected a member of the Academy of St Luke.

The work of the brothers Adam was too boldly Berniniesque in style to win the approval of the sculptors and critics of the following generation, that found its principal protagonists in Edmé Bouchardon and Jean-Baptiste Pigalle.

[7] Pierre-Jean Mariette expressed the new taste in his severe criticism of the eldest of the Adam brothers: Two of his most important works were executed for Frederick the Great in Prussia.