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  • image SM 45/3/54

Reference number

SM 45/3/54

Purpose

[3] Measured drawing

Aspect

Elevation titled LA.FACCIATA.DELLA.ROTONDA.A.ROMA.OGGI.CHIESA.DI.SANTA. MARIA.AD.MARTYRES

Scale

bar scale of 1/9 in to 1 ft (labelled PIEDI INGLESI)

Inscribed

as above, M AGRIPPA L F COS TERTIVM FECIT (on frieze, as well as the long Latin inscription on the entablature beginning IMP CAES L SEPTIMUS ...), some dimensions given including To top of Pediment of Portico 82.8½ French / 96.3 - (presumably French feet and English feet, the French foot being the equivalent of 12¾ English inches)

Signed and dated

  • I.SOANE (and in small capitals) FECIT IN ROMAE 1778, the 'E' of Soane added later

Medium and dimensions

Pen, pale blue, raw umber and warm sepia washes, watercolour technique (to indicate masonry, brick and weathering), shaded, within triple ruled and (added later) black wash border on laid paper backed with wove paper (633 x 988)

Hand

Soane

Watermark

obscured

Notes

This drawing was used for Soane's Royal Academy lectures.

The Pantheon was, and is, for architects, the key building of ancient Rome. First built in 25BC by Marcus Vispanis Agrippa, it was rebuilt on a circular plan (the portico with its inscription being re-used) by Hadrian in A.D.120-5. And consecrated as a church in 608.

Literature

P.du Prey, 'Soane and Hardwick in Rome: a Neo-Classical partnership', Architectural History, Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians of Great Britain, XV, 1972, pp.64-5
P.du Prey, (J.Lever editor), Catalogue of the Drawings Collection of the Royal Institute of British Architects, volume G-K, 1973, p.922
P.du Prey, John Soane's architectural education 1753-80, 1977, pp.117-9

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