Paintings, Prints & Drawings — C. 1715
South East Prospect of St. Paul's Cathedral
This work constitutes one of the earliest drawings of Wren's Cathedral, which was finally completed in 1710. From the costume of the figures, the drawing must have been executed soon after the first statue of Queen Anne was placed at the west front in 1712, but before the steps to the main door had been added by Benson who supplanted Wren in 1718.
The Lens family produced several generations of artists, at least three of whom were named Bernard, who worked in various artistic fields, including drawing, printmaking and teaching.
Bernard Lens the Elder who made this drawing ran one of the first drawing schools in England. Situated in St Paul's Churchyard, the school ran from 1697 until after 1710. In 1705, he was employed nearby, at Christ's Hospital School, to instruct boys intended for careers at sea in navigation drawing.
This drawing is the reverse image for an engraving made by J Harris and the print made after it is of the same dimensions.
- Category:
- Paintings, Prints & Drawings
- Object ID:
- 81.352/1
- Object name:
- South East Prospect of St. Paul's Cathedral
- Object type:
- Artist/Maker:
- Lens, Bernard, the Elder
- Related people:
- Related events:
- Related places:
- Production date:
- c. 1715
- Material:
handmade laid paper, ink, wash
- Measurements/duration:
- H 416 mm, W 655 mm (paper)
- Part of:
- —
- On display:
- —
- Record quality:
- 100%
- Part of this object:
- —
- Owner Status & Credit:
Permanent collection
- Copyright holder:
digital image © London Museum
- Image credit:
- —
- Creative commons usage:
- —
- License this image:
To license this image for commercial use, please contact the London Museum Picture Library.