3-011-877 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Royal Academy Prize Drawing: "Staircase of a Royal Palace", by Mr. Richard Phene Spiers, 1864. '...perspective view of the staircase...the corners are filled with statues in niches, and allegorical figures. A gallery runs round the upper portion of this hall, which is lighted from the top and from twelve windows piercing the sides of the dome. On the right and left are supplementary staircases...for private use by the Ministers and Diplomatic Corps. The grand staircase is entered by an archway 35 ft. wide by 52 ft. high, and is placed in a vast hall 120ft. long by 50ft. wide. The steps are 30 ft. wide, with three landings, the centre one wider than the others, and having two exedras, or resting-places. At a distance of eight or ten feet from the walls are balustrades, the spaces between which and the walls are to be filled with flowers and shrubs. On the first floor a gallery passes on each side of the staircase, and is separated from it by a range of columns 25 ft. high. This colonnade forms the chief decoration of the staircase-hall. It is surmounted by a cornice and a coved ceiling pierced with windows, between which are placed winged angels bearing crowns, palm-branches, &c. The upper portion of the ceiling is enriched by paintings'. From "Illustrated London News", 1864.