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Copy of a measured drawing from an Italian source
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Reference number
SM 45/3/45
Purpose
Copy of a measured drawing from an Italian source
Aspect
Plan showing a deep stage with fixed scenery, and a horseshoe auditorium
Scale
bar scale of piedi Veronesi (see note below)
Medium and dimensions
Pen, pencil, some pricking through, within single ruled border on laid paper (462 x 588)
Hand
Soane
Watermark
J Honig & Zoonen and bend on shield with bell below, surmounted by fleur-de-lis
Notes
Soane's rough plan and comments on the San Carlo theatre in Naples, built 1737 (note/sketchbook 'Italian Sketches and Mema', 1778-9, SM volume 164, ff.20-22) do not correspond with this plan. Neither do two theatres that he mentioned in his sketch/notebooks. That is, Palladio's theatre at Vicenza ('Italian Sketches', 1779, SM volume 39, f.43v) and 'the great Theatre' at Milan - La Scala? ('Notes Italy & Italian language &c', 1780 SM volume 162, f.154). The scale bar corresponds with that inscribed 'Piedi Veronesi' on the copy of a measured drawing of the Palazzo Publico, Verona (q.v.), which suggests that this is a building in Verona.
If the theatre is indeed in Verona it would be the Teatro Filarmonico built from 1716 to the design of Francesco Galli Bibiena and opened in 1732. Severely damaged by fire in 1749, it was rebuilt to Bibiena's original design and re-opened in 1754. In February 1945, it was almost totally destroyed in an air raid and was again rebuilt to a design based upon the original and re-opened in 1945.
If the theatre is indeed in Verona it would be the Teatro Filarmonico built from 1716 to the design of Francesco Galli Bibiena and opened in 1732. Severely damaged by fire in 1749, it was rebuilt to Bibiena's original design and re-opened in 1754. In February 1945, it was almost totally destroyed in an air raid and was again rebuilt to a design based upon the original and re-opened in 1945.
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