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[27] Alternative design for the new Gallery range
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Reference number
SM 65/4/20
Purpose
[27] Alternative design for the new Gallery range
Aspect
West elevation of the Gallery entrance front with almshouses
Scale
bar scale of 1/9 inch to 1 foot
Inscribed
Dulwich College
Signed and dated
- May 1811 datable to 27th May 1811 (only date to mention drawing elevation in the day book for May, after the meeting on 16th May)
Medium and dimensions
Pen, warm sepia, yellow ochre, blue and black washes, watercolour technique, shaded, partly pricked for transfer, within eight-ruled pen and sepia and black wash border on wove paper (335 x 528)
Hand
George Allen Underwood (only pupil recorded drawing elevations in the Day Book entries for May)
Watermark
Ruse & Turners 1805
Notes
This drawing and SM 54/4/38 correspond with SM 65/4/41 for design No. 7, with the Gallery as a single-storey range housing the Gallery with the almshouses running along the entire length of the west front. The almshouses were to consist of two rooms for each of five almswomen, three rooms for the matron, and kitchens and dining rooms. In the plan the straight arcade connected to the centre of the north and south ends is drawn, and additional projecting end bays on the west side have been added in pencil.
The elevation of the entrance front is close to the preliminary design, SM 54/4/28, with the projecting entrance porch crowned with a pediment but without the attic storey. There is the addition of two arched recesses which lead to entrance lobbies to the almshouses. This recessed motif is repeated on later designs for the windows and Gallery entrance.
The building now has a fifteen-bay front with wider end bays of three windows across and single flanking pilasters, to accomodate the additional almshouses. The balustrade and antefix continue to be employed along the flat skyline.
The elevation of the entrance front is close to the preliminary design, SM 54/4/28, with the projecting entrance porch crowned with a pediment but without the attic storey. There is the addition of two arched recesses which lead to entrance lobbies to the almshouses. This recessed motif is repeated on later designs for the windows and Gallery entrance.
The building now has a fifteen-bay front with wider end bays of three windows across and single flanking pilasters, to accomodate the additional almshouses. The balustrade and antefix continue to be employed along the flat skyline.
Literature
F. Nevola, Soane's favourite subject: the story of Dulwich Picture Gallery, 2000, pp. 39 & 179
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