Unfinished elevation of the north half of the west front, including steps

WRE/3/3/15

c.1686

Sir Christopher (1632–1723) Wren, Simon (1661–1733) Gribelin

Pencil over incised lines (check). Smooth laid paper. 47.0 x 35.0 cm. Watermark: double-headed eagle.

An incomplete study of the north half of the west front which incorporates revisions from earlier, detailed designs in this group, but maintains a narrower-than-built west front, with regular intercolumniations. Drawn by Simon Gribelin. Datable c.1686. Implied scale, just under 10 ft to 1 inch (10 ft = 26mm; as in WRE/3/4/3). This half-elevation embodies the revisions to the lower portico wall in WRE/3/3/10 and 11. The upper entablature is now the Composite type, with long console brackets (see WRE/3/3/12), and the upper capitals have changed from Corinthian to Composite. Gribelin drew the upper tower bays with niches rather than windows in the aedicules, thus repeating the bay design of the screen wall, presumably in error. See WRE/3/3/16, in the same hand, for similar errors.

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/3/4/3, WRE/3/1/12, WRE/3/2/9, WRE/3/4/1, WRE/3/4/3, WRE/3/4/19, WRE/6/1/2