Panorama: View from Stone Gallery, St Paul's

Lawrence Wright (1906-1983) was a much sought-after perspective artist, working for other members of the profession for almost half a century. He was employed by the most eminent architects of the time such as Sir Basil Spence OBE FRIBA. Wright was the author of 'Perspective in Perspective' (1983) and also drew highly finished topographical perspectives, such as his 'View of the South Bank of the Thames from Charing Cross during demolitions in 1949 prior to The Festival of Britain'.

This watercolour is one of seven depicting a 260 degree panorama; the missing 100 degrees was painted in three other watercolours also in the collection ( 57.7/3-5) which do not, however, tally with these seven.

The Stone Gallery Panorama shows a view around St Paul's and in this work it looks west/south west, with the south-west tower of St Paul's dominant on the right and to the left of it Unilever House, Blackfriars station and Blackfriars Bridge, The Times printing works at Printing House Square, and the Tower of St Andrew by the Wardrobe. More distantly on the right are Nelson's column, St Martin in the Fields, the Coliseum and the Gaiety Theatre. Across the river are the 'Oxo' tower and the Shot Tower. Waterloo Bridge, County Hall and Westminster are also visible.