Architectural Drawings

A visual and comprehensive compilation of some of the finest architectural drawings from Sir John Soane's extensive collection.

Architectural Drawings casts light on the magnificent architectural drawings of the neo-classical architect, teacher, and collector, Sir John Soane, that are otherwise concealed in archives. This book, featuring artworks handpicked from what was probably the first comprehensive collection of architectural drawings in the world, numbering 30,000 at the time of his death in 1837, celebrates a life spent procuring curiosities.

The collection encompasses the works of Montano, Thorpe, Wren, Talman, Hawksmoor, Vanbrugh, Gibbs, Kent, Chambers, Adam, Clérisseau, Pecheux, Wyatt, Playfair, Nash and, of course, Soane himself. The quality of Soane's collection of drawings is scarcely paralleled elsewhere and, on account of their fragility, these items are infrequently seen by the public. This innovative book draws together the most exquisite and important works from the collection for the first time, showcasing the extraordinary connoisseurship of Sir John Soane while also exploring what drove Soane to amass such a collection and the provenance of his various significant acquisitions.

This book illustrates the story of Soane as a collector of architectural drawings, a story which is not normally available to the public, and provides a sumptuous opportunity to peruse some of the finest architectural drawings in existence.