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  • image SM 71/2/85

Reference number

SM 71/2/85

Purpose

Design for the Royal Entrance, Scala Regia and Royal Galleries, 9 December 1822

Aspect

Plan of the offices between Old Palace Yard and the Painted Chamber

Scale

bar scale of 1/6 inch to 1 foot

Signed and dated

  • 9 December 1822
    9th Decr 1822

Medium and dimensions

Pen, pink, sepia and blue washes, pricked for transfer with multi-ruled sepia and black wash border on wove paper (936 x 654)

Hand

Charles Edward Papendiek (1801 - 1835)
Pupil January 1818 - March 1824.

Watermark

J Whatman 1821

Notes

SM 71/2/85 shows Soane's additions of a Royal Entrance, Scala Regia and two Royal Galleries which form the final part of a ceremonial processional route for the King. To the left (north) of the Royal Entrance, Soane's design now includes alterations to the Peers' Entrance. Dotted lines show the design of the cross vaulting in the arcade and fan vaulting in the vestibule of the Royal Entrance. Pencil lines, perhaps drawn by Soane, show him considering an extension to the porte-cochère. Whereas in an earlier design (SM 71/2/82) the vestibule at the base of the Scala Regia has fan vaulting, here it is given a starfish vault as in others of Soane's public works - the State Dining Room at 10 Downing Street and the Privy Council Chamber. This ceiling is incorporated into an existing vestibule, as is the previous, top-lit vestibule. The Scala Regia leads up to two Royal Galleries. In a previous design (SM 71/2/84) these had been incorporated into existing parts of the building, but here they are shown to a completely new design. By rebuilding this part anew, Soane was able to create an enfilade with the Scala Regia. A smaller, square gallery gives on to a longer, top-lit gallery with columns and apses on either side of the room. The far entrance is narrowed and centred on the enfilade. The Royal Gallery - including the Painted Chamber at the top left corner of this drawing - was intended to form a 'National Monument' with sculpture, reliefs and paintings conveying a sense of British valour. The King would pass through these galleries before arriving in the Robing Room to the west of the Painted Chamber on his way to the House of Lords for the annual State Opening of Parliament.

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