19 Jun 08

A member of the conservation team with one of the ceiling panels

After four years of conservation work the famous painted ceiling panels of Oxford University’s Sheldonian Theatre have finally been completed and the process of fixing them back up begins on Monday 23 June 2008.

The Sheldonian, completed in 1669, was the first important commission of the young Sir Christopher Wren. Wren went on to design one of Britain’s most iconic buildings St Paul’s Cathedral, which celebrates its 300th anniversary this year.

Following the discoveries of two time capsules hidden in the ceiling of the Sheldonian, dating back to 1901, the University will now be hiding a time capsule of its own when the panels start to go back up in July.

The ceiling panels, in oil on canvas, were painted by King Charles II’s court painter, Robert Streater (1624 to 1679). Each of the panels, some up to six metres long, was painted in his studios in London before being rolled up and transported to Oxford by barge.

The panels were taken down in 2004 to allow essential repairs to the ceiling cornice. However it was discovered that the 32 panels – showing Truth descending upon the Arts and Sciences to expel ignorance from the University – were in need of repair. 

During the latest conservation campaign it was discovered that areas of sky on the panel had previously been over-painted with a blue paint, which was badly applied and inappropriate in colour.

The painting’s conservators identified pigments in the different layers of paint and discovered the last restorer had used commercial paint. They decided to remove this layer and return to a previous layer of “Prussian Blue”, which would create a dramatic impact visually.

They also fixed flaking paint, removed discoloured varnish, filled in damaged areas, repaired tears and relined the paintings.

Now the project has been completed, scaffolding will be erected at the theatre in June so the hessian covering the ceiling can be taken down and the panels carefully fixed back into place. The fully repaired ceiling will be unveiled on 8 November 2008, in time for a degree ceremony.

The Sheldonian Theatre is a Grade 1 listed building and the principal assembly room of the University, and the regular meeting-place of Congregation – the 4,000-strong ‘Parliament of Dons’, which controls the University’s affairs. While the ceiling panels are being replaced, the main hall will be closed. The cupola will remain open to the public intermittently throughout the summer as the public area is also being redecorated.

Jeffrey Hackney, Chair of Curators of the Sheldonian Theatre, said: 'The conservation work has been miraculous and the newly cleaned colours match the exuberance of Streater's style.  The work of the conservation team has revealed a true work of art which will give great pleasure to everyone visiting the Theatre.'