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  • image Image 1 for SM volume 42/162 recto and verso
  • image Image 2 for SM volume 42/162 recto and verso
  • image Image 1 for SM volume 42/162 recto and verso
  • image Image 2 for SM volume 42/162 recto and verso

Reference number

SM volume 42/162 recto and verso

Purpose

[4] Rough designs, 1778

Aspect

Rough plan basically consisting of a stretched ellipse with a three-quarter circular chamber at one end, a cross axis marked by slightly projecting wings, and with several rooms arranged along each side; and very rough (pencil) studies of plan forms including a Greek cross enclosing a circular compartment with four apses; and a circular compartment with several domes or lanterns; (verso) further very rough studies of plan forms: an elliptical courtyard building with a double entrance marked In twice; rectangular courtyard building with Triumphal Arch marked; and a T-plan with several compartments including a circular one with 8 lanterns related to plans on the recto

Inscribed

(recto) Hall (verso) as above and near Capua on the road / bad from - - - - c (illegible) Capua / to Caserta

Signed and dated

  • datable to c. 29 December 1778

Medium and dimensions

Pen and pencil, (verso) pencil, on laid secretary paper with three fold marks (319 x 418)

Hand

Soane

Watermark

(partly illegible) D'Annonay and crown with trefoils (French made)

Notes

The rough plans reveal Soane rapidly sketching out successive ideas that bring him closer to the eventual solution. Soane's Italian notebook, 1778-9 (volume 164, f.14) shows that he was, for example, in Capua and Caserta, 20 miles north of Naples on 29 December 1778.

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