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[47] Presentation drawing for variant design for Mausoleum facing west, 24 and 28 October 1811
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Reference number
SM 65/4/35
Purpose
[47] Presentation drawing for variant design for Mausoleum facing west, 24 and 28 October 1811
Aspect
Perspective of the west front with Mausoleum
Signed and dated
- Lincolns Inn Fields. Oct 24th 1811
Medium and dimensions
Pen, coloured washes, watercolour technique, shaded, within eight-ruled pen and sepia and black wash border on wove paper (357 x 523)
Hand
Pupil (George Bailey, George Allen Underwood and George Basevi are recorded drawing views of Dulwich in the Day Book entry for 24 October 1811)
Watermark
J Whatman 1808
Notes
The decision to move the Mausoleum to the centre of the almshouses on the west side of the Gallery was made following a meeting with the Master at the College. And is recorded in Soane's Note Book on 15 November 1811; 'wishes to have the Mausoleum on the other front as form[erly] proposed - alter entrance into sisters' apartment'.
The drawings also show differing fenestration at first floor level and variant designs for the decoration above the cornice. Clerestory windows are introduced to light the Gallery instead of skylights. The false doors of the Mausoleum are now crowned with acroteria in the form of sarcophagi, ancient stone coffins, corresponding with the three sarcophagi inside the burial chamber. The foundations of the new Gallery were laid on 19 October 1811 but alterations and additions to the design continued to be made during construction.
The drawings also show differing fenestration at first floor level and variant designs for the decoration above the cornice. Clerestory windows are introduced to light the Gallery instead of skylights. The false doors of the Mausoleum are now crowned with acroteria in the form of sarcophagi, ancient stone coffins, corresponding with the three sarcophagi inside the burial chamber. The foundations of the new Gallery were laid on 19 October 1811 but alterations and additions to the design continued to be made during construction.
Literature
F. Nevola, Soane's favourite subject: the story of Dulwich Picture Gallery, 2000, pp. 61 & 184-185
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