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[8] Presentation drawing for engraving of south (Privy Garden) elevation, nearly as executed, c.1691
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Reference number
SM volume 111/15
Purpose
[8] Presentation drawing for engraving of south (Privy Garden) elevation, nearly as executed, c.1691
Aspect
Elevation
Scale
About 12 feet to 1 inch
Inscribed
In pen and brown ink by C19 hand at top left, 3
Signed and dated
- Undated, but datable c.1691
Medium and dimensions
Pen and brown ink with grey washes over graphite under drawing; on thick laid paper, laid down; fold near right-hand side; mounted with 111/13 and 14; 153 x 685
Hand
Hawksmoor
Watermark
None visible
Notes
Unlike 9, below (111/11), this elevation records the built work of the Privy Garden front exactly, save for the four statues above the central pavilion. Construction of the Privy Garden range was consistently ahead of the Park front. In the summer of 1691, Grinling Gibbons was carving trophies and festoons on the Privy Garden front. The trophies are shown exactly as executed on this drawing (see photograph in Downes 1982, pl. 158). The drawing also shows the carving on the pilasters of the attic, carving that is replicated on the Park front but not shown on drawing 111/11. Like 111/11, the drawing is preparatory for engraving. The shading follows the engraver's convention of darker shades for the more recessed planes of the building, and the cast shadows are in reverse, on the left side. However, no engravings appear to have been produced. The sheet has been heavily trimmed to fit into volume 111.
Literature
Wren Society, IV, pl. 18, bottom
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