Half-plan of the south transept wall, portico and steps, before revisions to the outer doorcase

WRE/2/4/1

1678

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

Pen and brown ink over pencil under-drawing and incised compass lines; some additions in pencil. 35.7 x 41.1 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 Drawn by Edward Pearce, and complementing the elevation, WRE/2/4/2, this incomplete half-plan explores the setting out of the portico, steps and front retaining wall. Datable 1678. Drawn scale, 4 ft to 1 inch (10 ft = 62.5 mm).\par \par Pearce\rquote s hand is apparent from the double-ruled scale bar with rightward-slanting numbering and the parallel pen shading on the columns (see also WRE/2/4/9). He probably drew this plan and the accompanying elevation, WRE/2/4/2, soon after he began work master mason on the south side of the cathedral in September 1678. The transept door opening is 9 ft wide and in most respects matches the design in Wren\rquote s early elevation of the transept portico, WRE/2/2/7. The relationship of the portico to the upper flight of steps is the same as in Wren\rquote s elevation save that a 10th step has been added to the lower flight. The aisle is at its built dimension of 19 ft internally. \par \par The drawing bears inscriptions in pencil by the unidentified draughtsman which give the dimensions of the portico at the level of the steps and the bases of the columns. The radius from the centre of circle, at half the depth of the transept wall, to the centres of the columns, is \lquote\i 21 feet i \'bd\i0\rquote [21 ft 1 \'bd inches]. \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/2/2/7, WRE/7/2/1