Reviews

John Soane (1753-1837) was a difficult man, both personally and professionally; with what seemed to be sheer force of will and unyielding temperament, he surpassed his humble beginnings to advance in his career and social standing. Yet the philosophy of perception that imbued his reworkings of classical ideas and forms never materialized into a fully synthesized theory. In addition, many of his buildings have been demolished, leaving us with only watercolors by his assistant, John Gandy, to represent his work. Despite these challenges, Richardson and Stevens (Royal Acad. of Arts, London) have managed to organize the contents of the Soane Museum and essays from leaders in the study of Soane into a flowing and lavishly illustrated, seemingly comprehensive piece on the master. Soane is fully covered, from birth, through his lifelong work with the Royal Academy and his private and family difficulties, to his influence on later architects. Hinted at in the text are many possibilities for further research, making this a valuable tool for future scholars. This tour-de-force catalog for an exhibition at the Royal Academy is a smart choice for academic libraries or libraries specializing in art history or architecture.--Nadine Dalton Speidel, Cuyahoga Cty. P.L., Parma, OH Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.