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[3] Competition design for a women's prison, 1781
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Reference number
SM 13/1/17
Purpose
[3] Competition design for a women's prison, 1781
Aspect
Elevation of a side of one of the great Courts, and Sections shewing the several Stories of the Cells, Arcades &c
Scale
1/8 in to 1 ft
Inscribed
as above, N0 5.
Leve fit quod bene fertur onus [A heavy burden well carried becomes light] (competition motto)
Signed and dated
- 1781
Medium and dimensions
Pen and sepia wash, shaded within quadruple ruled and wash border on laid paper (373 x 956)
Hand
Robert Baldwin (fl. 1762-c.1804)
Notes
This drawing and SM 13/1/18 are two from a set of (probably) seven competition drawings. Drawn by Baldwin, it is possible that the design was largely Soane's. Professor du Prey (in conversation, February 2009) drew attention to Dance's letter to Soane of 16 April 1782 in which he sympathetically enquires 'how it fares with you - above all things "dans ce malheureux monde," remember the motto to your design for the Women and forget the whole of the decision about these things (wch I hear will never be built) as soon as you can.' (quoted from A.T.Bolton, Portrait of Sir John Soane, R.A. ... set forth in letters from his friends, 1927, p.45). The mention of your design for the women's prison might suggest a clue to authorship.
Literature
P.du Prey, John Soane: the making of an architect, 1982, chapter 10, 'The Competition for the first Howardian penitentiaries'
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