F.C. Penrose Project

Sponsored by the Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation

Francis Cranmer Penrose (1817-1903) was an architect, classical scholar, founder of the British School in Athens, astronomer, and Surveyor to the Fabric of St Paul's Cathedral for 45 years during the second half of the 19^th century.

The Cathedral holds around 340 architectural drawings by Penrose and his team of designers and draughtsmen, and these drawings have been catalogued by Dr Ellie Pridgeon with the assistance of a grant from the Delmas Foundation.

The drawings held in the Architectural Archive were created by Penrose in the course of his long tenure at the Cathedral and mark a period of immense change to the decorative embellishment of the interior. These changes were informed by the collective mid-Victorian vision of the cathedral clergy, and they provide a unique record of both the building in the late 19^th century, and the ingenuity and inventiveness of the Surveyor himself.

The catalogue of his drawings provides an integrated set of records concerning his work on the building and will be an important resource for research into the history of the Cathedral and the processes of architectural design, commission and interpretation. The Cathedral also holds transcripts of Penrose's Annual Reports to Dean and Chapter (the originals are held at Guildhall Library), and a number of objects and models designed by Penrose.

His work included the replacement of the crypt floor with a scheme of mosaic decoration, the extension and re-arrangement of the choir, and the introduction of stained glass into the eastern arm of the cathedral. These works did not just change the appearance of the building, they were part of a complete re-articulation of the liturgical space and the experience of worship in St Paul's. Whilst some of Penrose's schemes were never approved by the Dean and Chapter of St Paul's, others, particularly the re-ordering of the choir, have given the cathedral some of its most famous interior vistas; in particular, the uninterrupted view from the west end of the triforium to the east. In addition, Penrose was responsible for the exterior landscaping project of the 1870s, which led to the discovery of the remains of the pre-fire St Paul's cathedral.

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Design for pavement in the East end of the Crypt, executed on paper in black ink and watercolour, June 1875. The design depicts the symbols of the Four Evangelists.

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Ground plan showing the proposed rearrangement of the Quire, executed on paper in watercolour pencil and black ink, 1872.

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Proposed design for one of the quarter domes depicting floral patterns and heads of angels (not as executed), executed on paper in pencil and watercolour, c. 1880s

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Perspective drawing showing proposed designs for the dome spandrels, executed on tracing paper in black and brown ink, and various shades of watercolour, c. 1870s.

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Design for proposed repainting of the Thornhill paintings in the dome with new scenes, executed on tracing paper in brown, blue and red ink, brown watercolour, and pencil, c. 1865-1870. The proposed scenes include the chorus of angels in monochrome, and the lettering: 'Glory to God in the highest and on Earth peace' in blue.

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Perspective elevation of the Quire showing the proposed open screen, executed on paper in watercolour, pencil, and black ink, 1860.

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Study of the ironwork in the staircase window, executed on paper in brown, grey and black watercolour, black ink and pencil, June 1881

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Drawing of the south-east window in the upper tier of the apse, executed on paper in watercolour (various colours), black and brown ink, and pencil, Feb 1871. The glass depicts the appearance of the Holy Spirit to the disciples at Pentecost. The Holy Spirit sent forth fiery tongues, and the disciples were able to speak in different languages.

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Design for the east saucer dome in the quire, executed on paper in black and brown ink, watercolour, and gold paint, possibly by William Burges or one of his assistants, c. 1873-1891

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Section, plans and a perspective elevation for a boiler fire-safeguard to protect plumbers, executed on paper in grey, orange, yellow and brown watercolour, black ink, and pencil, 1872