Part-section and internal elevation of the transept end, with 9-ft door opening

WRE/2/4/9

1678

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

Pen and brown ink over pencil with additions in pencil. 40.9 x 28.4 cm. Countermark: IHS surmounted by cross, over IM.

{\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 An unfinished variant design, drawn by Pearce, for the internal wall elevation of the transept. Datable 1678. Drawn scale, just under 4 ft to 1 inch (4 ft = 25.5 mm).\par \par Pearce\rquote s responsibility for the entire drawing is apparent from the double-ruled scale bar with rightward-slanting numbers (compare WRE/2/4/1) and the handling of the capitals and pencil-drawn relief carvings. Perhaps in error, he drew the smaller internal pilaster 7 inches higher than built to the astragal moulding (24 ft instead of 23 ft 5 inches), and the larger internal pilaster about 1 ft too tall to the top of the capital (42 ft 9 inches); it was built 40 ft above a 1 ft 9 inches plinth, a dimension found in two sections through the east end of the choir, datable 1675-76; WRE/2/3/6 and 8. \par \par In a variation modelled on the internal entablature of the church of St Stephen Walbrook (1672-79; see Whinney 1971, pp.64-65), the impost has a deep, leaf-moulded frieze beneath the crowning moulding, instead of the plain fascia found in the earliest detailed designs (compare WRE/2/2/6). Wren did not adopt this alternative. Below this level the transept door is still 9 ft wide, as in WRE/2/2/6, but has been increased in height from 21 ft to 22 ft 8 inches. It was built 22 ft 6 inches high and 10 ft wide. \par \par Pearce seems to have used this drawing, as he did others in this sequence, to propose enrichments to the internal and external elevations above the levels then reached in construction; see also WRE/2/4/15. \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/2/3/6, WRE/2/3/8, WRE/2/2/6