Art UK has updated its cookies policy. By using this website you are agreeing to the use of cookies. To find out more read our updated Use of Cookies policy and our updated Privacy policy.

Sir John Soane (1753–1836), RA

Image credit: RIBA Collections

How you can use this image

This image can be used for non-commercial research or private study purposes, and other UK exceptions to copyright permitted to users based in the United Kingdom under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised. Any other type of use will need to be cleared with the rights holder(s).

Review the copyright credit lines that are located underneath the image, as these indicate who manages the copyright (©) within the artwork, and the photographic rights within the image.

The collection that owns the artwork may have more information on their own website about permitted uses and image licensing options.

Review our guidance pages which explain how you can reuse images, how to credit an image and how to find images in the public domain or with a Creative Commons licence available.

Notes

Add or edit a note on this artwork that only you can see. You can find notes again by going to the ‘Notes’ section of your account.

John Soane (1753–1837) was the most brilliant architectural innovator of his day. His remarkable ability to adapt and modernise the language of classical architecture has proved to be a lasting influence, particularly in the late twentieth century. In his own day, he was on a level with leading European Neoclassicists, such as Ledoux and Schinkel. The demolition of his Bank of England in London was probably the single worst architectural disaster in Britain of the last century. He was a prolific designer of public buildings, churches, town and country houses. In 1834 he was the natural choice to become the first president of the Royal Institute of British Architects but as the rules of the Royal Academy then forbade its members joining other artists’ organisations, he refused, sending instead a gift of 1,000 guineas and this portrait, a copy of the painting by Sir Thomas Lawrence that still hangs in Soane’s house in Lincoln's Inn Fields.

The Royal Institute of British Architects

London

Title

Sir John Soane (1753–1836), RA

Date

1836

Medium

oil on canvas

Measurements

H 144.6 x W 111 cm

Accession number

PCF55

Acquisition method

presented by the sitter, 1836

Work type

Painting

Tags

See a tag that’s incorrect or offensive? Challenge it and notify Art UK.

Help improve Art UK. Tag artworks and verify existing tags by joining the Tagger community.

Normally on display at

The Royal Institute of British Architects

66 Portland Place, London, Greater London W1B 1AD England

Not all locations are open to the public. Please contact the gallery or collection for more information
View venue