Exploring the world of Sir John Soane

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June events at Sir John Soane’s Museum

The Architect and the Model: Saturday Tours of Sir John Soane’s Model Collection

Saturday 7 June, Saturday 14 June, Saturday 21 June and Saturday 28 June

11:00a.m. 

Sir John Soane’s Museum houses the largest collection of historic architectural models in the United Kingdom. Soane (1753–1837) did much to revive the use of architectural models through his teaching at the Royal Academy as well as through his architectural practice. Amongst the treasures on display in his romantic and poetic interiors are rare cork models of ancient Roman buildings and archaeological sites such as the Temple of Vesta at Tivoli, the Arch of Constantine and Pompeii as well as models of architectural projects undertaken by the Soane Office.  As part of the London Festival of Architecture the Soane is holding a series of curator-led Saturday morning tours of the Museum focusing on this unique and important architectural collection.

Capital Investment: Sir John Soane’s Model of Tyringham Hall, Buckinghamshire
3 – 28 June

One of the most interesting and visually beautiful architectural models in Sir John Soane’s Museum is for Tyringham Hall, Buckinghamshire. Made by Joseph Parkins, c. 1793-94, the highly detailed model was commissioned by Soane to present to his client William Praed, a Fleet Street banker. Soane designed and executed his country house from 1792 to 1800 and this model is an exceptional survival of a Soane Office ‘presentation model’ given to a client to explain volume, the arrangement of rooms and the play of light in the completed building (the model opens to reveal the interior arrangements of rooms and staircases). This is a rare opportunity to see this highly detailed presentation model, which is not usually on display to the public. A model by a contemporary architect will be shown alongside to demonstrate the use importance of architectural models in today’s architectural practice.

Sir John Soane’s Processional Route: Reimagining a Capital City
Monday 23 June, 6.30–8.30p.m.

£50 + glass of champagne
Between 1827 and 1828, Sir John Soane proposed creating a monumental Processional Route linking Windsor Castle with Westminster Palace through a series of triumphal arches, a remodelled Downing Street and an imposing neo-classical palace for Constitution Hill. Inspired partly by Napoleon’s Paris, the Processional Route, had it been built, would have transformed London into one of the grandest neo-classical capitals in Europe. Sir John Soane’s Museum is offering an evening to view the drawings produced by the Soane Office for this extraordinary project of ‘urban renewal’ in the company of the Museum’s curators. In addition, visitors will be given the opportunity to visit the candle-lit rooms of Sir John Soane’s House/Museum at No. 13 Lincoln’s Inn Fields.

Peace Breaks Out! London and Paris in the Summer of 1814

20 June – 13 September

In the centenary year of the start of the First World War, Sir John Soane’s Museum presents ‘Peace Breaks Out!’ an exhibition focusing on the summer of 1814, when Europe celebrated peace after the Treaty of Paris following the fall of Napoleon.

Displaying over 100 rare pieces from the museum and private collections, the exhibition will explore this pivotal moment in the history of Europe, through the eyes of its contemporaries. Pieces on show include celebratory paintings and prints created for the festivities held in London and across the United Kingdom to mark the Treaty; drawings of Paris demonstrating the architectural changes that took place under Napoleon’s government; Sir John Soane’s collection of Napoleonica – objects belonging to Napoleon and his closest collaborators; and a quirky, satirical depiction of Englishmen visiting Paris, as seen by the French.

Address: Sir John Soane’s Museum: 13 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3BP

Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday 10am-5pm.  Last entry 4:30pm

Admission: Free