When visiting #London, one of the sites to see is #St.Paul’sCathedral. I have been a number of times and this chapter is about some of the artworks which I have in regards to St. Paul’s. Most are from regular points of view in regards to the cathedral but one is certainly a rarity which can no longer be appreciated by visitors to the cathedral or in fact anyone for it no longer exists. I will go through chronologically almost, but will leave the most interesting artwork to last. Two published etchings, a photograph, one artist pressed etching and a drawing with wash are this chapters images.
Two hand coloured etchings showing St.Paul’s from different angles. In many ways St. Paul’s still dominates the sky line of the city of London. An iconic building for many a year and for many more.
To an early photograph of St Paul’s from across the Thames. Taken from close to where the new Millennium Bridge originates on the south side of the river. Taken, I believe, around 1920 with a very busy waterfront.
Now, much of the water front has been redeveloped into condominiums, and flats and areas for people to meet and gather. Now to an artist pressed etching which shows St Paul’s beyond Orsman Road. Done by M. Brand in 1976.
Now to an image of something few saw even when it was present in the cathedral. During WWII London was bombed extensively by the Germans. St. Paul’s was amazingly directly hit only once and it occurred on the 16th April, 1941. A very large bomb did hit outside but did not exploded. It was carefully dug out of the crater it created and taken safely away to be exploded outside the city. But I want to talk about the one that did hit St. Paul’s. I have seen three photos of the #St.Paul’sCathedralCrater and yesterday purchased a drawing with wash done by A. Butler in 1941.
It is drawn from an angle which few people would have had access to. Drawn from inside the crypt beneath the hole which was created in the floor of the cathedral looking up into the dome. Few people let alone artists would have been allowed into the area for safety reasons. An image from an event in history few might now recall – most would not even know that it happened. A time worth remembering for many and varied reasons.