Elevation of two-and-a-half bays of the external peristyle, close to the final scheme

WRE/5/3/8

c.1696–99

Sir Christopher (1632–1723) Wren, William (1671–1725) Dickinson

Pen and brown ink over pencil, with grey wash and pen shading and pencil additions. Laid paper. 38.7 x 25.1 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 A revised part-elevation of the peristyle, in two-and-a-half bays. Developed from elevation (iv) on the right side of WRE/5/3/3, it shows the radial arches, circular windows and pier-mass niches of the final scheme. Drawn by Dickinson. Datable, c.1696-99. Implied scale, just over 4 ft to 1 inch (10 ft = 65.5 mm).\par \par Adopting the same viewing convention as Hawksmoor\rquote s study elevation, WRE/5/3/3, this drawing demonstrates the coherence of Wren\rquote s final scheme for the peristyle, as the radial arches and niches share the same imposts and their heads align. The lower part of the niche is as built. The head was filled with shell ornament, a narrow panel was added above, and a frieze-panel with a festoon was set between the capitals. The latter was built in Portland stone, and the pier mass itself in Ketton stone. \par \par Sketched in pencil below the cornice of the drum is a reversed arch with an oval window at its centre. The arch and window are marked in section on WRE/5/3/3. When this level was built in 1700 the window was set lower and the reversed arch was not used; see WRE/5/3/5. \par \par Dickinson applied his grey wash over the ink outlines, causing the brown ink to run. By contrast, Hawksmoor normally laid his wash over pencil outlines and applied ink over the wash; see WRE/5/2/3.\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.

WRE/5/2/5, WRE/6/1/7, WRE/5/2/3