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Lansdowne House, Berkeley Square, Westminster, c.1788-94
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Reference number
SM D3/3/1
Purpose
Lansdowne House, Berkeley Square, Westminster, c.1788-94
Aspect
[3] Sectional upward perspective of exedra, lunette window and part of gallery and details of meander decoration
Scale
4/15 in to 1 ft
Inscribed
some dimensions given
Signed and dated
- c.1788-94
Medium and dimensions
Pencil and sepia wash, trace lines on laid paper (500 x 670)
Hand
Dance
Notes
Dance is concentrating here on the design of the arch that links the semicircular vault of the gallery to the three-quarter domed exedræ at either end. The greater height of the domical ceilings of the exedræ to the semicircular ceiling of the gallery allowed for a lunette window (inset over a lintel with semicircular arched soffit) not visible from the central part of the gallery but introducing indirect or borrowed light to the exedræ.
REPRODUCED. D. Stillman, 'The Gallery for Lansdowne House', Art Bulletin, LII, 1970, pp.75-80, fig.13; Stroud fig.54a.
Verso
Plan of exedra with five semicircular alcoves, section through arch between exedra and gallery, elevation of exedra with painted decoration in Pompeian style, elevation of dome, bird's-eye perspective, upward perspective of dome and arch and rough details
Pen, raw umber and sepia washes, pencil
Dance's lunettes are a significant element of his design for the Lansdowne library. The idea of indirect lighting had been explored by architects of the Baroque period and by Piranesi (in his alterations to St John Lateran, 1763-4) but Dance's use of it in a domestic context is noteworthy. He suggested a similar use of semicircular windows over segmental arches in his studies for Soane's Bank Stock Office in the Bank of England, 1791-2.
REPRODUCED. D. Stillman, 'The Gallery for Lansdowne House', Art Bulletin, LII, 1970, pp.75-80, fig.13; Stroud fig.54a.
Verso
Plan of exedra with five semicircular alcoves, section through arch between exedra and gallery, elevation of exedra with painted decoration in Pompeian style, elevation of dome, bird's-eye perspective, upward perspective of dome and arch and rough details
Pen, raw umber and sepia washes, pencil
Dance's lunettes are a significant element of his design for the Lansdowne library. The idea of indirect lighting had been explored by architects of the Baroque period and by Piranesi (in his alterations to St John Lateran, 1763-4) but Dance's use of it in a domestic context is noteworthy. He suggested a similar use of semicircular windows over segmental arches in his studies for Soane's Bank Stock Office in the Bank of England, 1791-2.
Level
Drawing
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