Some of the sculpture is omitted on the execution, See pursuits of literature editⁿ 8^th page 338 & Dallaway's Anecdotes of the Arts page 154, (capitals) View of a public building

• Lincolns Inn Fields March 9^th 1804 W[illia]m Rolfe

William Rolfe (pupil 1801-1804)

Joseph Ruse Tovill Mill Maidston 1803

The perspective shows an imaginary view of the screen wall with niches containing figurative statues. The curving corner of Lothbury and St Bartholomew's Lane consists of twin Corinthian columns in front of a niche containing a figurative statue and a sculpted panel above. The entablature above the columns contains a frieze of bucranium and garlands. In the attic are twin recumbent consoles enclosing paterae and supporting a scallop shell. Street lamps are attached to the wall and another street lamp sits on a pedestal at the end of St Bartholomew's Lane.

The inscription refers to page 154 of Dallaway's Anecdotes of the Arts in England, which mentions the Bank of England's façade built by Sir Robert Taylor during his Surveryorship at the Bank in 1765: 'at the Bank, much caprice appears to have been indulged. In the original building there is nothing remarkable, but the wings and corridore added by Sir Robert Taylor would have better suited a lawn than a street. No foreigner, from the external elevation of the great magazine of national wealth, could possibly guess that such was its destination. Mr. Soane's massive wall with horizontal stripes, instead of rustic work, and his gateway, finished by sarcophagi, instead of a pediment, would not much help him in his conjecture' (op. cit. p.154). The other reference is to Pursuits of Literature, written by Thomas James Mathias in 1794. A mention of Chambers and Soane in the satirical poem is followed with a footnote: 'Two celebrated architects. The professional knowledge of Sir W. Chambers, Knight, (of most heroic memory) was profound and substantial. Mr Soane has more fancy and airiness of design, and is certainly a man of information and ingenuity. But he indulges himself a little too much in extravanganzas and whims. See the Bank.' (op. cit. p.336)

Reverend J. Dallaway, Anecdotes of the Arts in England or Comparative Observations on architecture, sculpture, & painting, 1800, p. 154.

Drawing

Sir John Soane 1753-1837: An Exhibition of Drawings, Kenwood House, London, May - September 1956

Digitisation of the Drawings Collection has been made possible through the generosity of the Leon Levy Foundation

If you have any further information about this object, please contact us: drawings@soane.org.uk