Order: Myth, Meaning and Beauty in Architecture

Sir John Soane's lecture illustration of a column capital (Sir John Soane Museum)

Last few days ends Sunday 27 March! What are the orders of architecture? Where did they originate? Why did ancient architects build using the 'Classical Orders' and why do architects still refer to them even today?

This exhibition is on loan from the Sir John Soane Museum and explores how this 'hidden' language of architecture is still around us - often in surprising ways.

Sir John Soane (1753-1837) is regarded as one of England’s finest architects. He grew up and went to school in Reading and designed the Simeon Monument in the Market Place.

The exhibition includes several beautiful ‘lecture drawings’ of the Classical orders, produced for Sir John Soane when he taught at the Royal Academy. One shows the ‘British Order’ devised in 1780s by Windsor carpenter, Henry Emlyn. Emlyn was inspired by the oak trees of Windsor Great Park.

Artworks selected from Reading Museum’s collection show the use of classical orders in local buildings such as the Royal Berkshire Hospital and Caversham Park.

Date updated: 24 Mar 2011