Inigo Jones design. St Paul's Cathedral western Portico, c1727

by Jones, Inigo

Large colourful antique print of West Front Portico of the old Cathedral of St. Paul's in London - as repaired and beautified by Inigo Jones during the 1630s. Restoration ceased with Civil War against King Charles I; and the whole of this old cathedral was burnt down in the Great Fire of London in 1666.

Original copperplate engraving c.1727 by Henrik Hulsbergh after a drawing by Henry Flitcroft for The Designs of Inigo Jones, Consisting of Plans and Elevations for Publick and Private Buildings. Publifh'd by William Kent, With some Additional Designs published in London in 1727. Illustrating neo-classical architectural designs of great British architects, the majority of engravings for this superb publication illustrate the work of Inigo Jones (1573-1652), who is considered to be the 'father of classical English architecture'. The first to introduce classical Italian Renaissance architecture to Gothic Britain, Jones believed strict mathematical proportion should control plan, elevation and all structure.

Dutch engraver Henrik Hulsbergh worked in London and flourished as an engraver between 1709 and 1729.

This imposing engraving is in good condition with later hand-colour. Page size is 35 x 50cm (13.3/4 x 19.3/4 inches). Size to plate mark is 25 x 38cm (9.5/8 x 15 inches). As usuual with a work of this age, there are tiny foxing spots which are so small that they are almost indiscernable.