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The Drawings Collection, part of the RIBA Library Drawings and Archives Collections, is the largest and most important collection of British architectural drawings in the world and also contains important drawings by foreign architects.
 
Numbering some 650,000 items, it celebrates the achievements of British architects from the Renaissance to the present day, and also contains important drawings by foreign architects, most notably nearly three hundred designs and sketches by Andrea Palladio, most of which were formerly in the collection of Inigo Jones, who is also strongly represented in the collection.

The Drawings Collection comprises works by some of the most important architects throughout history.

It includes works by: 

• Andrea Palladio
• Robert and John Smythson
• Inigo Jones and John Webb
• Sir Edwin Lutyens
• C. F. A Voysey
• The Pugin and Scott Families 
• Erno Goldfinger
• Sir Leslie Martin
• Sir Denys Lasdun
   

The majority of the collection dates from the 18th and 19th centuries, however it does include some major collections of 20th century architects such as Erno Goldfinger. The collection also contains some works by contemporary architects, including Sir Norman Foster.
 
The Drawings Collection also includes topographical drawings, the most important of which are probably the views of Greek antiquities painted 1751-3 by James 'Athenian' Stuart, later engraved for the Antiquities of Athens, and William Daniell's views of India. Many architects travelled Europe and the near East, recording their impressions in sketchbooks or watercolours now in the collection.
 
There are also 10,000 architectural engravings, principally of British subjects. In addition, there are portraits and busts of architects, models, drawing instruments, drawing office furniture, medals, architectural fragments and casts as well as miscellaneous objects connected with the architectural profession.
 
These designs are available for commercial use under licensing agreements. If you are interested in licensing any of the designs, please contact us. 
 
Research queries
The RIBA Library Drawings and Archives Collections is located at the Victoria and Albert Museum. The collections are available for consultation in the RIBA Study Rooms at the Victoria and Albert Museum. All research enquiries should be sent to drawings&archives@inst.riba.org or telephone +44 (0)20 7307 3708. 
 
Objects and portraits
Models, drawing instruments, drawing office furniture, medals and portraits are also included in the objects and portraits collections of the Drawings and Archives Collections. 
 
Library publications

• Drawings
• Microfilm and microfiche
  Catalogues and indexes and items reproduced from the collections

Contact us
If you require further information about any of our holdings or services, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Tel: +44 (0)20 7307 3708 (desk staffed Tuesday-Saturday 10-5)
Fax: +44 (0)20 7589 3175
Email: drawings&archives@inst.riba.org|