Half-section, related to 3/2/6, showing arches and iron reinforcement between a bastion and the nave clerestory

WRE/3/2/7

1685

Sir Christopher (1632–1723) Wren, Edward (1652–1724) Strong

Pen and brown ink over pencil and incised lines, with additions in pencil. 31.4 x 46.3 cm. Watermark: Strasbourg lily WR.

{\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 Drawn and annotated by Edward Strong, this section varies some of the detail in WRE/3/2/6. Datable 1685. Scale (marked on radius of crossing arch), just under 6 ft to 1 inch (10 ft = 44 mm).\par \par The handwriting in the two inscriptions, \lquote\i Chaine of Iron In this place\i0\rquote , matches that on Strong\rquote s construction drawing for the upper apse, WRE/3/1/6. Common to both drawings are the hesitant outline technique in dark brown ink, the tongue-like leaves in the capitals, the style of numbering, and the use of thick pencil for amendments and annotations. \par \par The drawing presents the same view of the fabric as Hawksmoor\rquote s half-section, WRE/3/2/6, but adds iron ties at two levels and renders some features differently. It may have been prepared with the north-west bastion in mind, as Edward Strong\rquote s team were responsible for this quarter of the crossing. However, the drawing has been used to mark the position of the drum and uppermost steps of the staircase in the south-west bastion, although without showing the two small windows that were added above the lower cornice and in the upper frieze. To the right, pencilled dimensions supply the heights of the vertical elements of the upper storey; totals are added up on the right side (all probably in Strong\rquote s hand). Sketched in pencil faintly across the space above the aisle is the curved profile of the semi-dome that was to be built in the diagonal bay of the crossing above triforium level. Light lines have been added to show the fall of light through the clerestory window. \cf0\b\f1\par }

Access to the Wren office drawings held at London Metropolitan Archives is available only with advance notice and at the discretion of the Heritage Services Director, London Metropolitan Archives, 40 Northampton Road, London, EC1R 0HB.

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