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[11] Drawing of Robert Smirke's theatre
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Reference number
SM P402
Purpose
[11] Drawing of Robert Smirke's theatre
Aspect
View of the New Theatre Royal Covent Garden built in 1809 by Robert Smirke (1780-1867)
Inscribed
as above
Signed and dated
- dateable to 1810
Medium and dimensions
Pen and sepia wash, shaded on wove paper (image is 63 x 151)
Hand
Robert Dennis Chantrell (1793-1872, pupil 1807-1814)
Notes
SM P404 and SM P403 show variant designs - the larger of the two showing the opera house as having a hexastyle portico between pavilions on the front elevation and giant Corinthian colonnades on the sides. The second design has the same form but is articulated by a series of arches with an arcade with loggia above and arched windows to the pavilions. Two drawings were exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1810, under the title: 'Design for the Opera House proposed to be built on the site of Leicester House garden' (cat. 710 and 716). A further drawing '[Design for] the Opera house, etc' (cat. 832) was exhibited by Soane at the Royal Academy in the same year (A.Graves, The Royal Academy of Arts: a complete dictionary of contributors and their work, from its foundation in 1769 to 1904, 1905, volume 4, p.201).
It is possible that only 'Design No.I' catalogued here was exhibited at the Royal Academy while 'Design No.II' is probably a reduced copy that has been mounted together with a view of Robert Smirke's theatre - of which Soane disapproved. This last was drawn on the top left-hand side of a sheet of wove paper measuring 215 x 707. Below this, Soane's design 'No.II' is stuck over a previous drawing that had upper and lower scrolled edges. The large drawing for the opera house is stuck on to the sheet and outlined with a broad black wash or ink border as are the two drawings to the left. The three drawings in one frame were made by a pupil (Robert Chantrell) and have been hung in various of Soane's rooms (including the Model Room). Recent, temporary de-framing shows that Chantrell (if it was he) used unrelated, discarded Soane office drawings (one dated 14 December 1810) as 'packing' material.
(SM P404) Exhib: (?) RA 1810, either No. 710, 716 or 832
(SM P403) Exhib: (?) RA 1810, either No.710, 716 or 832
It is possible that only 'Design No.I' catalogued here was exhibited at the Royal Academy while 'Design No.II' is probably a reduced copy that has been mounted together with a view of Robert Smirke's theatre - of which Soane disapproved. This last was drawn on the top left-hand side of a sheet of wove paper measuring 215 x 707. Below this, Soane's design 'No.II' is stuck over a previous drawing that had upper and lower scrolled edges. The large drawing for the opera house is stuck on to the sheet and outlined with a broad black wash or ink border as are the two drawings to the left. The three drawings in one frame were made by a pupil (Robert Chantrell) and have been hung in various of Soane's rooms (including the Model Room). Recent, temporary de-framing shows that Chantrell (if it was he) used unrelated, discarded Soane office drawings (one dated 14 December 1810) as 'packing' material.
(SM P404) Exhib: (?) RA 1810, either No. 710, 716 or 832
(SM P403) Exhib: (?) RA 1810, either No.710, 716 or 832
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