Half-plan and internal elevation of the west half of the north-west (Lord Mayor’s) vestry

WRE/2/3/9

1675–76

Sir Christopher (1632–1723) Wren, Unidentified draughtsman (fl.1675–c.1687)

Pen and brown ink over pencil under-drawing, with pen and pencil shading. 45.6 x 29.8 cm. Countermark: P

{\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 preliminary study for the wall elevation and plan of the north-west (Lord Mayor\rquote s) vestry, drawn by the unidentified draughtsman, and differing from the plan and internal elevations as built. Datable 1675-76. Drawn scale, just under 2 ft to 1 inch (10 ft = 128.5 mm). \par \par Work began on the foundations of the south-west and north-west quarters of the crossing in March 1676 (Wren Society 16, p.13). This drawing is probably earlier, as the internal width between the wall pilasters is 6 inches larger than the 19-ft built dimension. Likewise, the elevation sets the window sill, or \lquote\i stoole\i0\rquote , 7 ft 8 inches above the pavement, about 4 inches too low. Further changes were made to the wall elevations during construction. The pilaster capitals were built with a deep moulding above the necking, stone-carved enrichments were added to the soffit of the vault, and the arches over the bays were made segmental rather than semi-circular.\par \par The numbering on the scale bar is the unidentified draughtman\rquote s, the \lquote 3\rquote having a straight top stroke. The immature handwriting in \lquote\i top of the stoole\i0\rquote [window sill] and \lquote\i pavment\i0\rquote [pavement] must also be his. It is similar to that on the preparatory plan and section of an aisle window in the crypt, WRE/2/1/3. Shared features are the \lquote p\rquote with a two-part stem, the reversed \lquote e\rquote with a rounded upper loop, and the rounded letter bodies. \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/2/1/1, WRE/2/1/3