Christopher Wren - In Search of Eastern Antiquity

A fresh look at the Eastern origins of Christopher Wren’s architecture

In this revelatory study of one of the great architects in British history, Vaughan Hart considers Christopher Wren’s (1632–1723) interest in Eastern antiquity and Ottoman architecture, an interest that would animate much of his theory and practice. As the early modern understanding of antiquity broadened to include new discoveries at Palmyra and Persepolis, Wren disputed common assumptions about the European origins of Classical and Gothic architecture, tracing these building traditions not to the Greeks or Germans but to the stonemasons of the biblical East. In a deft analysis, Hart contextualizes Wren’s use of classical elements—columns, domes, and cross plans—within his enthusiasm for the East and the broader Anglican interest in the Eastern church. A careful study of diary records reappraises Wren’s working relationship with Robert Hooke (1635–1703), who shared in many of Wren’s theoretical commitments. The result is a new, deepened understanding of Wren’s work.

O noua privire asupra originilor estice ale arhitecturii lui Christopher Wren In acest studiu revelator al unuia dintre marii arhitecti din istoria britanica, Vaughan Hart considera interesul lui Christopher Wren (1632-1723) pentru antichitatea estica si arhitectura otomana, un interes care ar anima o mare parte din teoria si practica sa. Pe masura ce intelegerea moderna timpurie a antichitatii s-a extins pentru a include noi descoperiri la Palmyra si Persepolis, Wren a contestat ipoteze comune despre originile europene ale arhitecturii clasice si gotice, urmarind aceste traditii de constructie nu la greci sau germani, ci la pietrarii din Orientul biblic.