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[7] Revised design
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- Sir John Soane office drawings: the drawings of Sir John Soane and the office of Sir John Soane
Reference number
SM volume 42/136
Purpose
[7] Revised design
Aspect
Elevation, rough plans, part-plans and detail of sluice
Scale
to a scale (elevation)
Medium and dimensions
Pencil, sepia wash, pen, shading on laid paper (231 x 369)
Hand
Soane (see below for note on Dance)
Watermark
(feint) roundel with (indistinct) dove (Italian ?)
Notes
It is tempting to attribute this drawing to George Dance since the draughtsmanship of the elevation, and especially the use of wash, suggests his hand. But the paper appears to be Italian and the following drawings which are by Dance are for quite different designs and, it is assumed, were made after Soane's return to London.The very rough plans show an H-plan flanked by fountains, four on each side, and a ? related elevation with a semicircular arch; and a part-plan that squares the familiar X-plan of earlier designs. Below the festooned parapet, the elevation is close to SM 45/1/20, though greater in height. Above, all is different: the centre has a storey pierced by a lunette-shaped sluice gate crowned by a stepped pyramid rather than a dome; flanking the centre are sculptural capriccios and crowning it, on a wide, stepped pedestal, an equestrian statue. Below at ground level, sculpted figures pour water into a pool; on either side of the building are fountains.
Literature
P. du Prey, John Soane's architectural education 1753-80, 1977, pp.277-8
P. du Prey, John Soane: the making of an architect, 1982, p.186
P. du Prey, John Soane: the making of an architect, 1982, p.186
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