Perspective of a dome with a 24-bay upper peristyle and an octagonal, concave-sided lower peristyle and drum

WRE/5/1/10

c.1690–91

Sir Christopher (1632–1723) Wren, Nicholas (c.1662–1736) Hawksmoor

Pen and light brown ink over pencil under-drawing with pen and pencil shading and additions in pencil. Smooth laid paper; repaired diagonal tear lower right, soot staining along right edge. 45.9 x 34.0 cm. Watermark: Strasbourg lily (without pendant); countermark: GI

{\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 perspective study, derived from WRE/5/1/9, for a dome with a concave-sided octagonal peristyle and drum, surmounted by a circular upper peristyle. Drawn probably by Hawksmoor. Datable c.1690-91. Implied scale, about 20 ft to 1 inch.\par \par This design adopts the dimensions and divisions of the dome in WRE/5/1/9. The perspective convention, although poorly handled in places, clarifies the profiles of the lower drum and peristyle (ambiguously rendered in that elevation). Wren omitted pediments and vases from the entablature but added pedestals beneath the ends of the pier masses and a balustrade to the upper drum. The stepped profile of the entire dome implies an internal cone rising from the base of the lower peristyle, as in WRE/5/1/7. The exedra in the angle of the lower drum of WRE/5/1/9 has been enlarged in pencil and given a flaming vase finial.\par \par The pyramidal form of this dome, with its narrowing, superimposed peristyles, recalls Guarino Guarini\rquote s unfinished dome for the church of S. Anne Royale in Paris (begun 1662), which Wren may have known from discussions with the architect in Paris in 1665-66 or from engravings of his works issued in 1686 (Morrogh 2010, p.522). \par \par The lightly-drawn vertical pen shading, pencil-sketched vase finials and bell-shaped column bases and capitals indicate Hawksmoor\rquote s hand; compare WRE/5/1/11.\par \par \b Reverse:\par \par \b0 Ruled pencil rectangle containing diagonal line, possibly an initial study for the geometry of an internal cone (see WRE/5/1/7, and WRE/5/1/11, reverse). \cf0\b\f1\par }

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