More developed study for the main external entablature, differing from the fabric

WRE/2/4/17

1678–79

Sir Christopher (1632–1723) Wren, Edward (c.1635–1695) Pearce

Pen and brown ink over pencil under-drawing with pen shading. Laid paper. 42.8 x 26.5 cm. Countermark: IHS surmounted by a cross, over IM.

{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang2057{\fonttbl{\f0\fswiss\fprq2\fcharset0 Microsoft Sans Serif;}{\f1\fswiss\fprq2\fcharset0 System;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue128;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\cf1\f0\fs20 A larger-scaled study for the main entablature, not as built, but revised from WRE/2/4/16. Datable 1678-79. Drawn and numbered scale, 1 ft to 1.75 inches; separate drawn scale to left, 1 ft to 3.5 inches.\par \par The cornice has been revised from the design in WRE/2/4/16. Pearce wrote the heights of the three parts of the entablature vertically against the frieze: 3 ft 6 inches for the cornice, 2 ft 8 inches (changed from 6 inches) for the frieze, and 2 ft 8.5 inches for the architrave. The total, \lquote\i 8 foo 10 In: \'bd ye whole highe\i0\rquote (8 ft 10.5 inches), written across the top of the cornice, is only 0.5 inch more than built (see Hawksmoor\rquote s record drawing, c.1685, WRE/3/1/1). Additionally, Pearce wrote the three main dimensions vertically against the frieze: \lquote\i Cornish 3 foo: 6 In: / freese 2 foo: 6 In\i0 [struck through] / \i 8 In : \'bd\i0 [struck through] / \i Archetraue 2 foo: 8 In : \'bd\i0\rquote . \par \par Wren revised the design thoroughly before work began on the architrave and frieze in 1681-82. He increased the architrave to 2 ft 11 inches while reducing the fascias from three to two, added a cavetto moulding to the upper part of the cymatium, and lowered the cornice to 3 ft 4 inches. The relative heights of the three members of the built entablature are closer to Palladio\rquote s recommended ratios of 4 : 3 : 5 for architrave, frieze and cornice (\i Quattro Libri\i0 , 1570, Book I, Chapter 17). \cf0\b\f1\par }

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