An Essay On The Doric Order Of Architecture, Containing A Historical View Of Its Rise And Progress Among The Ancients, With A Critical Investigation Of Its Principles Of Composition And Adaptation To Modern Use. Illustrated By Figures Of The Principal Antique Examples, Drawn To One Scale, From The Best Authorities, By Edmund Aikin, Architect.
Published By The London Architectural Society., London.:: Printed By T. Bensley, Bolt Court, Fleet Street; And Sold By J. Taylor, At The Architectural Library, No 59, High Holborn., 1810.
Physical Description
[4], 23, [1] p., 7 pl. (1 fold.): 544 mm.
Contents
[T.p.] - Notice [advertisement by the London Architectural Society] - [Text]; [colophon] - [Plates].
Responsibility Note
The plates are unsigned.
Each plate carries the imprint of J. Taylor.
The colophon repeats the name of the printer, T. Bensley.
References
RIBA, Early printed, I (1994), 39.
J.M. Crook, The Greek Revival (rev. ed. 1995); J.S. Curl, Georgian architecture (1993); M. McMordie, 'Picturesque pattern books and pre-Victorian designers', in Architectural history, 18 (1975), p.44-60.
Summary Note
The plates include 31 outline figures. The majority compare ancient examples of the Doric order, as recorded by Stuart and Revett, the Society of Dilettanti's 'Antiquities of Ionia', Wilkins's 'Magna Graecia' and Desgodetz, all drawn to the same scale (which is given on Plate I). In figures 21-23 Aikin offers his own suggestions for adaptating the order to modern situations. The Essay includes 'A Table of the Proportions of the Examples contained in the Plates'.
Provenance
Presented by the London Architectural Society in 1811 (see RA Council Minutes, IV, 276).
Binding Note
19th-century half calf, brown cloth-covered boards; black morocco spine-label lettered 'Aikin's Essay On The Doric Order', spine lettered 'R.A.' and '1810'.
Subject
Architecture, Greek - Doric order - Columns, Doric - History
Greek Revival - Great Britain - 19th century
Essays - Pattern books - Great Britain - 19th century
Pictorial works - Great Britain - 19th century