We first visited Sir John Soane's Museum at the end of our 2022 London campaign, were blown away, and resolved to visit it again, next time in town, and to do it via the guided tour. Hardly anything in the "museum" is labeled (and much of what is labeled is mis-labeled). Soane was a late Georgian/Regency architect of note and professor of architecture in the Royal Academy, and what became the "museum" was really his house, twice expanded, which doubled as his firm's offices, his classroom and teaching lab. Drawings, prints, paintings, models, architectural designs, casts, actual artifacts--thousands of objects, all left exactly as they were at his death in 1837, donated to the Nation. Marie Kondo's worst nightmare. Anyhow, we did the Museum again, this time with Rebecca, who had wisely reserved us spots in both the guided tour and later in the "drawing room" too (same day reservation). As good as our first visit was, this one was far, far better. See my 2022 post for more pix and narrative.
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| The museum occupies the three buildings in the center |
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There were convex mirrors in nearly every room--architects
need light, right?--and one room had some 122 mirrors, mostly
of the convex variety |
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Our guide opening out the full Rake's Progress series; Soane and
Hogarth were pals; the guide packed about 3 hours of wisdom and wit
into the 90 minute tour; one of our best ever |
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| Turner and Soane were pals, too; Refectory of Kirkstall Abbey, 1798 |
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| Sir John evidently was a fan of Paestum, as we are |
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| Also funny faces |
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Interesting adjustable stove in the kitchen; Victorian, actually, used
by the staff |
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| Obligatory staircase shot |
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Not your typical British drawing room: this is where Soane's students
labored, drawing, copying, learning architecture |
1 comment:
That staircase!
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