A Vision of the Bank of England in Ruins by J. M. Gandy

Formally titled 'Architectural Ruins - A Vision', this fictional view by Joseph Michael Gandy reimagines the Rotunda at the Bank of England as if it were in ruins. With its dramatic point of view and architectural fragments littering the foreground, this watercolour falls in line with contemporary traditions of romanticism which can be found throughout Sir John Soane's Museum. 

From 1788 to 1833, John Soane was surveyor to the Bank of England and took responsibility for the Bank's maintenance and repairs, alterations and additions. During this time, Soane added two extensions and replaced nearly every room, more than doubling the building's area. This was largely in response to greater numbers of staff and increased business demands during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars which lasted from 1793 to 1815. Soane introduced more offices and more work space, a secure and fireproof structure, and an ambitious design approach, making the Bank of England his most famous project.

Soane shared a great collaborative friendship with Joseph Michael Gandy, a draughtsman and architect in his own right who brought Soane’s architectural vision to life through a myriad of grand watercolours. For nearly 40 years the two geniuses supported each other – Gandy as showman, Soane as patron – and Gandy’s theatrical architectural watercolours are certainly one of the highlights of the museum’s collection.

This print is colour matched to the original and approved by Sir John Soane's Museum. Every purchase supports the work of the museum.