Theater, Sheldonian Theatre (1669)*

Artist/Designer: Christopher Michael Wren

Project Location: Oxford, United Kingdom

Figure 1 ( Source | Accessed : November 21, 2014 )

Figure 2 ( Photographer: Lorella Brocklesby )

Figure 3 ( Photographer: Lorella Brocklesby )

Figure 4 ( Source | Accessed : November 21, 2014 )

Figure 5 ( Photographer: Lorella Brocklesby )

Figure 6 ( Photographer: Lorella Brocklesby )

Figure 7 ( Photographer: Lorella Brocklesby )

Figure 8 ( Photographer: Lorella Brocklesby )

Figure 9 ( Source | Accessed : November 21, 2014 )

Figure 10 ( Photographer: Lorella Brocklesby )

Style/Period(s):
Baroque, Neoclassical

Primary Material(s):
Stone

Function(s):
Concert Hall

Related Website(s):

British History Online | Accessed : March 10, 2018

University of Oxford | Accessed : March 10, 2018

Jstor Article | Accessed : March 10, 2018

Significant Date(s):
17th Century, 1664, 1669

Additional Information:
Project Description:
The Sheldonian theatre, presently used for concerts, degree ceremonies and other events in the Oxford University calendar, is an amazing building designed by Sir Christopher Wren from 1664. It is based on the paradigm of a Roman theatre hence its unusual shape. The ceiling decoration resembles an open sky, with cherubs pulling an awning across to eliminate the sun - a very trompe l'oeil concept (i.e. to fool the eye.) The baroque detailing is very rich including the projecting balcony and the proctor's balcony.
The attic with its amazing timbers is an incredible construction because there are no central timbers to hold up the great architectural mass - it is all supported by the timbers at the side. A walk to the top of the building and up the attic stairs gives a fantastic view of Oxford, although it is quite a climb!

Publications/Texts in Print:
Downes, Kerry. Christopher Wren. New York: Oxford University Press, 2007.

Geraghty, Anthony. The Sheldonian Theatre: Architecture and Learning in Seventeenth-Century Oxford. London: Paul Mellon Centre BA, 2013.

Levine, Joseph M. Between the Ancients and the Moderns: Baroque Culture in Restoration England. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1999.

Building Address:
Broad St, Oxford OX1 3AZ, UK

Significant Dates:
1664 to 1669: Built.
2008- a four-year project to restore the ceiling fresco was completed.

Significant Staff/Designers:
Robert Streater- Painter of the ceiling fresco.

Tags:
London, theater design, sheldonian theatre, neoclassical, baroque, Christopher wren, 17th century, University of Oxford, academic theatre, theatre design, concert hall

Viewers should treat all images as copyrighted and refer to each image's links for copyright information.