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1994-73, Print
The Inside of the Pantheon in Oxford Road
1994-73, Print

The Inside of the Pantheon in Oxford Road

Date1772
Artist/Maker Charles Brandoin
Artist/Maker Richard Earlom (1743 - 1822)
OriginEngland, London
MediumMezzotint engraving with line engraving
DimensionsOverall: 24 7/8 × 20in. (63.2 × 50.8cm)
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Object number1994-73
DescriptionLower margin reads: "Cha.s Branadoin inv.t et delin/ R. Sayer Exetidt/ Rich.d Earlom fecit./ The INSIDE of the PANTHEON in OXFORD./ L'INTERIEUR du PANTHEON de LONDRES./ London Printed for Rob.t Sayer N.o 53 in Fleet Street./ From an Original Drawing in the Posession of Rob.t Sayer./ as the Act directs 20 August 1772."
Label TextThis view depicts the interior of the Pantheon, a fashionable London social club that opened in January 1772. The Pantheon was a venue for masquerades, musical performances, assemblies, and other entertainments. It raised controversy over its admittance structure. Unlike most private clubs, which were exclusive by gender, social standing, background, political affiliation, the Pantheon sold tickets through subscription that then had to be vetted by a fashionable noblewoman who had to endorse a person's subscription card. It was feared that this structure would dissolve social boundaries leading to the mixing of genders, ranks, political affiliations, and classes through the admittance of people who transverse these boundaries.