Of all the incredible places to visit in London, there's one that should be right at the top of your must-see list: the John Soane museum.
In this article, I tell you all about it.
Here we go!
John Soane Museum: article summary
John Soane Museum: a jewel in Lincoln's Inn Fields
Just a few steps from Holborn subway station, the Sir John Soane Museum is located in the elegant setting of Lincoln's Inn Fields.
More than just a house, it was also his workplace, his studio and served as a laboratory for his own evolving architectural ideas.
The house stands as it was at the time of his death in 1837, and is a perfect example of late Georgian architecture.
An enriching guided tour
It's a pleasure to enter the museum and I highly recommend taking the guided tour. She costs just £10The tour lasts just one hour and takes you through an otherwise maze-like property.
The guide is the museum's archivist and is wonderfully interesting. He'll tell you stories about each room and the countless objects they contain. while answering questions from the most curious.
The museum is unlike any other you'll have visited. Rooms wind from one to the next, with little corridors here and there and decorative alcoves dotted around that could easily be missed without a guide.
John Soane Museum: the beauty of Soane's collections
Each millimeter of space includes :
- Paints
- Ceramics
- Sculptures
- Bust
- Architectural fragments
- Furniture
It even has a sarcophagus! Despite the collectors' side of things, each piece and its location have been carefully studied to ensure that the object can be seen from all angles. the best lighting or angle.
The use of mirrors and colored glass adds ambiance to each room and shows just how innovative Soane was.
The hidden treasures of the floors
The Sir John Soane Museum Library houses bedrooms and bathrooms as well as spectacular architectural models in cork.
On the first floor you will find :
- The recently restored kitchen
- Monk's living room
- The catacombs
- The courtyard
But by far the most impressive area of the museum is the picture room. Although it is one of the smallest rooms on the property, it houses the most spectacular collection of paintings, including four by Hogarth, three by Canaletto and one of the three by Turner.
In order to store such a large collection in such a small space, Soane created what he called moving planes, which are essentially articulated walls that open up so you can see the next layer of breathtaking artwork.
A real engineering feat.
John Soane Museum: a way to discover the past
The house and its contents are an ideal reference if you are recreating late 18th and early 19th century decor.
Not least the furniture, the colors used and the way things were presented.
What are the opening hours?
You can visit us on site:
- Wednesday to Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The site remains open on public holidays.
Admission is free, but a timed ticket is essential.
If you'd like to discover a hidden museum in London, I recommend the John Soane Museum. Here you can discover a veritable pearl of the architectural world, and enjoy some of the finest period art.
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