Circle and Proportion: Gibbs, the Radcliffe Camera, and the Mathematics of a Masterpiece

A deep dive into how James Gibbs turned a radical circular library into England’s first, using precise geometric rules drawn from his own Rules for Drawing. We explore the 1:10 column proportion, the one-fifth entablature, and the pedestal adjustments Gibbs justified by decorum, showing how he balanced exacting math with artistic judgment. From the rusticated base to the piano nobile and the mannerist rhythm, discover how Gibbs made complex proportions accessible—and how that democratized classical design across Britain and the colonies.

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