This group starts with the earliest perspective of the interior dated to 20 November, and another is at the V&A (33O7.48); but is inscribed 20 November 1833, and may be a later Charles James Richardson copy. Two perspectives emerge in November to December (SM 47/3/30; SM 13/5/6), and December should be preferred as these are more finished works, which show the western front, one in moonlight, the other during the day. There are a few differences in ornament (see individual entries). The elevation by day (SM 13/5/6) shows visitors, as does the (SM 13/5/7) dated to 7 January 1801. The architectural and landscape elements are by Joseph Michael Gandy (1771-1843), but the figures are by Benedictus Antonio van Assen (1767-1817), who was an accomplished portraist whilst Gandy was not renowned for his skill in rendering human figures. Additional evidence of the collaboration is found in a drawing of the exterior at Tyringham, at the V&A (2824) which is incribed Design for a Mausoleum / An old drawing by Gandy with figures by Van Assen. The fact it is described as 'An old drawing' shows it was inscribed later; but as van Assen knew and produced other works for Soane (SM P135; SM P305) and produced similar figures for other Soane Office drawings (SM 4/2/3; SM (86) 12/3/10 (87) 12/3/13 et al) , this attribution seems secure. The group finishes with an exhibition drawing of the sepulchral chapel by moonlight for the Royal Academy Exhibition (SM P269), which shows the design at its final stage. The perspective is similar to two in the V&A collection (SM 3307.44; 2824), which are set during the day and are not on the scale of the exhibition drawing.

Group

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