as above

• May 16^th 1818 / A. Mee

A.P. Mee (1802-1868, pupl 1818-1823) (as per inscription)

This drawing and SM 67/5/5 show the Infirmary as built - a yellow stock brick building of two storeys and a basement. This drawing and the plan (SM 67/5/8) show two projecting wings on the south facing front and an arcade between those wings. SM 67/5/5 shows a one storey projecting bay on the north front. The facades are articulated by rhythmically spaced, plain arched windows, a stone string course between ground and first floors and a dentilated cornice. The north front displays a balustrade either side of a pedestal with unicorn, lion and crowned oval.

Although generally symmetrical, the eastern projecting wing shows blind arches on the ground and first storeys, rather than arched windows as on the western wing. The reason for this is made apparent when looking at the plan (SM 67/5/8) which shows a chimney flue as part of the southern wall. This was originally part of Yarborough House and as Godfrey says, was retained along with the majority of the structure for the west wing. Soane could not add windows to the west wing because the chimney flue made the wall structure too insecure for large arches. Blind arches were therefore added to create visual symmetry. The old structure, as has already been mentioned, did not have any windows on that facade because it looked on to the Hospital's bleaching grounds.

The late date inscribed on the drawing suggests it was intended for Soane's records. Both this drawing and SM 67/5/5 indicate a fictional setting, particularly this drawing which shows hills and a river in the background - neither show the clusters of Wren (or other) service buildings surrounding the Infirmary.

W. Godfrey (ed.), Survey of London: volume 2: Chelsea, part 1, 1909, pp. 3-8

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