Facade of Sir John Soane’s museum London
What a remarkable place! What a remarkable man, son of a Bricklayer (b. 1753) Sir John Soane, Architect turned out to be!
A Rakes Progress The Rake taking possession of his estate 1734
There are also drawings, prints, furniture, clocks and of course books … the list is endless! What a great time Soane must have had collecting them all. He was continually building on and altering his house in order to accommodate this collection. The place must have been in a perpetual flux, forever changing.
Sir John Soane’s Museum and Library
Soane wanted to preserve his collection to inform and educate students and amateurs. He negotiated an Act of Parliament in 1833 to preserve his house and collection to benefit others. This Act came into being when Soane died in 1837. The public were encouraged to ‘consult, inspect and benefit’ from these collections and they do.
Minimal changes have been made to the collections layout. Each Curator has tried to maintain Soane’s wishes regarding Soane’s arrangements.
Amongst the truly impressive is the giant sarcophagus of Seti 1 c. 1370BC
John Soane Sarcophagus room in 1864
and one my Favourite Goddess incarnations: Diana of Ephesus Turkey.
Diana of Ephesus
I went to Ephesus in Turkey last year: an amazing place: like stepping back into biblical times.
Ephesus Turkey
An exhibition of the Adam Brothers drawings of the Grand Tour (Rome). These drawings are exquisite, showing meticulous draughtsmanship. The exhibition runs until 14 February 2009.
Adam brothers Grand Tour
The paintings, including the ‘Soane’s Hogarth’s’ read like a National Gallery Guidebook. Turner, Canaletto, Reynolds, Fuseli, amongst many.
John Soane’s Dining Room with portrait
The actual atmosphere in the house is very tangent In some rooms, almost as if a past inhabitant has just left the room. Perhaps life goes on as before and Sir John flits about stroking and arranging his collection when the house has been cleared of visitors and shut up for the night. All those antique influences vibrating as one invisible breath, calling through time ‘Please Visit us!’
