The City of London and Sir Christopher Wren: 1723 and 2023
The year 2023 marks the 300th anniversary of the death of Sir Christopher Wren (1632 - 1723) the architect who left an indelible stamp upon the City of London by designing the rebuilds of many of the beautiful old churches that were destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666. He is famed most of all for St Paul's Cathedral in which the inscription 'If you seek his memorial, look around you' could not be more fitting for a legendary genius who mastered the study of astronomy, mathematics and science too.
The year 2023 marks the 300th anniversary of the death of Sir Christopher Wren (1632 - 1723) the architect who left an indelible stamp upon the City of London by designing the rebuilds of many of the beautiful old churches that were destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666. He is famed most of all for St Paul's Cathedral in which the inscription 'If you seek his memorial, look around you' could not be more fitting for a legendary genius who mastered the study of astronomy, mathematics and science too.
'The City of London is fantastic. I love the juxtaposition of the old and the new.' So spoke the artist Rachel Whiteread, a resident of the area, in 2011. So for example we can take photographs today that show St Magnus the Martyr (Wren, 1671 - 1687) filling the skyline in the foreground of Lower Thames Street while The Shard (2009 - 2012) the tallest building in Britain can be seen in the background.
Sir John Betjeman wrote in 1964: ‘Wren’s cheerful genius pervades the whole City even today when his buildings have been dwarfed by boring office slabs and the skyline to which he gave such careful thought has been obliterated.’ If Betjeman were to return today he would most likely weep to see the cluttered skyline of glass and steel skyscrapers recently described by veteran author Hunter Davies as 'a playground for mad architects'.
Fortunately at ground level the attractive architectural flair of Sir Christopher Wren can still be admired and enjoyed while walking through the streets of the City of London.
We close this page with some modern-day features of the City that please us too.
Sir John Betjeman wrote in 1964: ‘Wren’s cheerful genius pervades the whole City even today when his buildings have been dwarfed by boring office slabs and the skyline to which he gave such careful thought has been obliterated.’ If Betjeman were to return today he would most likely weep to see the cluttered skyline of glass and steel skyscrapers recently described by veteran author Hunter Davies as 'a playground for mad architects'.
Fortunately at ground level the attractive architectural flair of Sir Christopher Wren can still be admired and enjoyed while walking through the streets of the City of London.
We close this page with some modern-day features of the City that please us too.
Street art is abundant all year round in the City of London and in last winter's darkness and cold weather surely these delightful colourful globes lightened the moods of workers and passers-by in Leadenhall Street. They were located in front of the huge skyscraper known as the Cheesegrater.
Photo credit: Tia Hollyer
Photo credit: Tia Hollyer
Here's another bubble, silver this time, just round the corner in Lime Street beside the iconic exterior of the Lloyd's building constructed in 1986. The exterior is often likened to an oil rig. Its architect the legendary Sir Richard Rogers sadly passed away in 2022.
Photo credit: Tia Hollyer
Photo credit: Tia Hollyer
Jerry Dowlen's illustrated Talks on the City of London, including Lloyd's of London Insurance History Highlights and London's Modern Buildings, are very popular and can be booked via e-mail enquirycray150@gmail.com