Panorama: View from the Stone Gallery, St Paul's looking South West

Lawrence Wright (1906-83) 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 a series of seven painted from the top of St Paul's Cathedral showing a 260 degree panorama. There are three other drawings accounting for the missing 100 degrees which do not, however, link with the ends of these works. This watercolour depicts the view looking south-west with Blackfriars and the industrial buildings of the Southwark on the right (where Tate Modern now stands).The foreground is dominated by Faraday House, topped by St Benet's Church built by Wren. On the far horizon on the right Battersea Power station stands out.