Preliminary half-elevation of the west side of the choir screen, showing the base of an organ and a curved gallery at upper level

WRE/4/1/8

c.1693

Sir Christopher (1632–1723) Wren, Nicholas (c.1662–1736) Hawksmoor

Pen and brown ink over pencil, with grey wash and some amendments in pencil. Thick laid paper. 34.8 x 49.5 cm. Countermark: DS

{\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 revised design for the choir screen, with paired columns at the end, and a curved gallery adjoining an organ at upper level. Complementary to the half-elevation and section of the east side, WRE/4/1/9. Drawn by Hawksmoor. Datable c.1693. Implied scale, 2 ft to 1 inch.\par \par The elevation shows the curved back of a gallery above the parapet which joins with the side of the organ. It represents a third or fourth phase in the evolution of the choir screen in this earlier stage. The paired end-columns and curvilinear pedestals place it after two preliminary, pencil-drawn studies for the choir screen: WRE/4/1/4, and the elevation at All Souls of a variant of this screen with an organ above it (Geraghty 2007, no.95). It also appears to postdate the screen and west range in the pencil-drawn half-plan of the whole enclosure, WRE/4/1/5. Niches have been added to the inner bays, and the curved return stalls at gallery level are slightly wider in relation to the facade of the screen than those sketched on the half-plan. \par \par Features not taken further are the Composite capitals with egg-and-dart mouldings between their volutes and the niches containing large ornate vases. A pencilled plan of a flat recess beneath the inner bay indicates an alternative to the niche. \par \par The base of the organ and the width of the entrance are closer to the executed dimensions. The organ base is 18 ft 9 inches wide, 1 ft 7 inches less than in Hawksmoor\rquote s early study for the case, WRE/4/1/3. The distance between the centres of the outer columns is 17 ft, 1 ft 6 inches less than in the earliest known elevation for the screen, WRE/4/1/4. This distance was reduced to 16 ft 8 inches in the completed organ (see Penrose\rquote s record drawings of the organ and screen; Wren Society 16, pls.10 and 11, SPCAA/D/1/12/16). \cf0\b\f1\par }

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