Architectural model for the proposed Reading Room of the British Museum thumbnail 1
Architectural model for the proposed Reading Room of the British Museum thumbnail 2
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images
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Architecture, Room 128

Architectural model for the proposed Reading Room of the British Museum

Architectural Model
ca. 1853 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Following the completion of the British Museum by Sir Robert Smirke (1781-1867) it soon became obvious that space allocated for new books for the library would be insufficient. Two new storage rooms built in the intervening years did not alleviate the problem. The Librarian at the British Museum at the time, Antonio Panizzi, suggested the purchase of further additional land in Russell Square, but this idea was rejected because of the expense. However, in 1852 Panizzi suggested another option accepted by the Museum authorities, that of placing a building in the Museum's inner quadrangle. Sydney Smirke was the architect of the scheme and the contractors Messrs Baker & Fielder. Panizzi asked Alfred Stevens (whose major works include the Wellington Monument in Westminster Abbey) to design the interior painted and with sculptural decoration but this did not come to fruition.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleArchitectural model for the proposed Reading Room of the British Museum (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Wood, cardboard and plaster
Brief description
Architectural model for proposed reading room at the British Museum. Alfred Stevens.
Physical description
Wood and cardboard and plaster
Dimensions
  • Height: 58.5cm
  • Width: 106.7cm
Summary
Following the completion of the British Museum by Sir Robert Smirke (1781-1867) it soon became obvious that space allocated for new books for the library would be insufficient. Two new storage rooms built in the intervening years did not alleviate the problem. The Librarian at the British Museum at the time, Antonio Panizzi, suggested the purchase of further additional land in Russell Square, but this idea was rejected because of the expense. However, in 1852 Panizzi suggested another option accepted by the Museum authorities, that of placing a building in the Museum's inner quadrangle. Sydney Smirke was the architect of the scheme and the contractors Messrs Baker & Fielder. Panizzi asked Alfred Stevens (whose major works include the Wellington Monument in Westminster Abbey) to design the interior painted and with sculptural decoration but this did not come to fruition.
Bibliographic references
  • Beattie, Susan. Alfred Stevens 1817-1875, London : Victoria and Albert Museum, 1975 39
  • List of Objects in the Art Division South Kensington Museum acquired during the Year 1890. Arranged according to the dates of acquisition, with appendix and indices. London: Eyre and Spottiswoode, 1891. pp. 40
  • Leslie, Fiona. 'Inside Outside: Changing Attitudes towards Architectural Models in the Museums at South Kensington' in Architectural History 47. 2004. pp. 159-200
  • Esdaile, Arundell. The British Museum Library: a short history and survey. London. Allen and Unwin. 1946
  • Stannus, Hugh. Alfred Stevens & his work. London. The Autotype Co. 1891. pp. 22
  • Physick, John and Michael Darby, /'Marble Halls': drawings and models for Victorian secular buildings, London, HMSO, 1973
Collection
Accession number
349-1890

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Record createdAugust 5, 2003
Record URL
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