Design, pencil, wash, and pen, Design for the Law Courts, William Burges and A.H. Haig, English, ca. 1866.

Pencil, brown wash, and pen design on paper of the interior of a large hall. People are in casual clothes are assembled on the ground floor while more formally dressed figures in court attire and robes are depicted on the upper storey. Stone walls rise up from the tiled ground floor. Scrolling iron railings border enclose and decorate walkways on the upper storey. Two storeys of stained glass are depicted on the far back wall with lion sculptures and six figures set in niches between windows. The left wall is solid where sculptures of male figures are set in niches. Windows make up much of the right wall where an abundant amount of sun light is shown entering the large space. Stars and men dressed in formal clothes are depicted on the vaulted ceiling.

Transferred from The Science Museum

This is very likely a drawing for the competition to design the Law Courts of 1866. The eclectic and striking look of the large room is typical of the architect's 'Burgesian Gothic' style. Godwin participated in the design competition with 10 other architects. Axel Herman Haig worked with Burges during this time, assisted him specifically with the Law Courts submission, and his signature is inscribed at the bottom of the design. These designs for the Courts were not chosen.

E.381-1923