David Laing (London 1774-1856)
Lot 166

David Laing (London 1774-1856)

The Corn Exchange, Winchester

Closed19 September 2013

Price Realised

GBP 5,750

More Information

How to sell

David Laing (London 1774-1856)
The Corn Exchange, Winchester
inscribed .SOUTH.EAST.VIEW.OF.A.CORN.EXCHANGE.PROPOSED.TO.BE.BUILT.AT.WINCHESTE R.' (lower margin)
pencil, pen and grey ink and watercolour, on paper
22¾ x 46¾ in. (57.8 x 118.8 cm.)
Together with floor plans relating to the Winchester Corn Exchange (3); and An elevation relating to Billingsgate (1) (5)

Specialist note

The present drawing is for an unexecuted design for a Corn Exchange, Winchester, which was completed in 1838 by Owen Browne Carter (1806 - 1859), a Winchester based architect.
Laing was articled to Soane before setting up in independent practice. In 1812 he was commissioned to rebuild the Customs House London, which was completed in 1817. However, it appears that he failed to supervise the build and by the early 1820s the building began to collapse. Laing's reputation was ruined and he found it difficult to obtain further work as an architect. Among the few buildings he did produce after this failed project was the Royal Universal Infirmary for Children, Waterloo Road, London, between 1833-4.

We are grateful to Stephen Astley, Helen Dorey and Susan Palmer and the rest of the team at the Sir John Soane's Museum, London for all their assistance with the group of 18th and 19th century architectural drawings and designs.