All the drawings within this scheme are reconstructions of particular aspects of the ruins.

Drawing 270 shows a hypothetical reconstruction but without any imagined excavation below ground level. The temple front has been 'rebuilt', though without the lower storey, as well as the triumphal arch but the arch columns are still underground apart from their capitals.

The archway itself is very tall, and the colonnade only starts halfway up a tall surrounding wall. The temple is set much higher within the scheme. Drawing 271 shows a very similar aspect, as does drawing 272. Drawings 273 and 274 progress to show the temple and arch as they could have been, a two storey temple and a one storey triumphal arch with a high colonnade on either side.

Bianca De Divitiis draws attention to Soane's new speculation as to the ruins classical, medieval-ecclesiastical and reformation origins. In Soane’s own words: ‘on removing the earth to about twelve feet below the present surface, the bases of columns and parts of tessellated pavements became visible; likewise various statues of pagan divinities, and many pieces of columns, cornices, and capitals, of Roman workmanship; together with various fragments in the taste of the ecclesiastical buildings erected in the middle ages’.

B. De Divitiis, 'Plans, Elevations and Perspective Views of Pitzhanger Manor-House', pp.55-74, Architectural History Vol 48, 2005, p. 64-65; C. Woodward (ed.), Visions of ruin: architectural fantasies and designs for garden follies, exhibition catalogue, Sir John Soane's Museum 1999, p.30

Group

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