Design Note:-
This group of drawings dates from mid-December 1828 - August 1829 and reflects the summation of ideas previously explored in the ‘Symmetrical Elevations’ drawings of July-August 1826. SM 53/8/69 is the earliest surviving drawing, dated 15 December 1828 and in Charles Richardson’s hand. It pulls together the earlier experiments of composition into an elevation intended to harmonize with Westminster Hall, but display the latter a degree of deference. This was worked up into a perspective elevation by George Bailey on 14 February 1829 (SM 53/6/7), which would ultimately provide the template for Joseph Gandy’s highly worked perspective view P264.

The internal disposition of the reconstructed range to the east of Westminster Hall was drawn by Richardson from 10-12 February 1829 (SM 53/6/2 and SM 53/6/3); the latter demonstrating the provisions for storing the Law Court records, then still temporarily housed in Westminster Hall. Interspersed with drawings for this final vindication of Soane’s compromised work at Westminster are proof engravings which illustrate this scheme (e.g. SM 53/6/9 and SM 53/8/10-11). These appear to relate to Soane’s Brief Statement of Proceedings, the gestation and publication of which is exceptionally complicated, though where a correlation with these engravings and drawings is clear, it has been identified in the drawings note.

Group

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