Sir Basil Spence, O.M.. R.A. (1907-1976)
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Sir Basil Spence, O.M.. R.A. (1907-1976)

Coventry Cathedral, perspective rendering of the interior with tapestry design

细节
Sir Basil Spence, O.M.. R.A. (1907-1976)
Coventry Cathedral, perspective rendering of the interior with tapestry design
coloured chalks over sepia negative on buff paper
40 x 35 in. (101.5 x 84 cm.)
来源
Anonymous sale; Sotheby's, London, 30 June 1993, lot 75.
注意事项
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 15% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

拍品专文

This perspective was executed by the architect in August 1952 and shows the High Altar of the cathedral and the liturgical East wall (the cathedral is not aligned along a geographical east-west axis).
It is important in several respects: first, it predates Sutherland's acceptance in 1952 of Spence's commission to design the tapestry to hang behind the altar. Hence, the degree to which this design corresponds to the final work underlines the fact that it was Spence, rather than Sutherland, who was the originator of the Christ in Majesty composition. Second, it predates the architect's decision to move the East wall back, behind the Lady Chapel, to accomodate Sutherland's tapestry. It also shows his original development of a solid faceted concrete vault, rather than the lighter vault formed of spruce facets on a concrete frame, which was eventually built. There is a similar perspective now in the Royal Collection at Windsor.

We are very grateful to Anthony Blee for his help in cataloguing this lot. For further information see Exhibition catalogue, To Build a Cathedral 1945-1962, Warwick, 1967.