Arts

16 Jun 09

A drawing by Christopher Wren showing the dome of St Paul's cathedral following the curve of a graph, which has never been exhibited before.

Unseen drawings by Sir Christopher Wren of St Paul’s Cathedral are among the fascinating material at a major new exhibition at Oxford University’s Museum of the History of Science.

The free exhibition, which opens tomorrow, brings together some of the finest architectural and scientific material from the early modern period. In addition to the Wren drawings, which have never been exhibited before, the display includes architectural drawings by King George III and an astrolabe made for Queen Elizabeth I.

Compass and Rule: Architecture as Mathematical Practice in England, 1500 - 1750 focuses on design and drawing, exploring the role of geometry in the dramatic transformation of English architecture between the 16th and 18th centuries. During this time new concepts of design based on geometry changed how architects worked and what they built, as well as the intellectual status and social standing of their discipline. Identified as a branch of practical mathematics, architecture became the most artistic of the sciences and the most scientific of the arts.

The extraordinary drawings, unique instruments and rare books on show in this exhibition provide a new perspective on the emerging role of the architect - from Henry VIII's military engineers to Inigo Jones’ adoption of Italian Renaissance ideas, Elizabethan mathematical practitioners to the architectural apprenticeship of George III.

The exhibition has been co-curated by Dr Anthony Gerbino and Dr Stephen Johnston, who bring together two academic disciplines, the histories of architecture and of science.

Dr Stephen Johnston, assistant Keeper at the Museum of the History of Science said: ‘Compass and Rule is the Museum's most ambitious ever exhibition, featuring an extraordinary range of material drawn from collections across Britain. It connects architecture and science through the practical skills of drawing, and provides a fresh perspective through rare maps and plans, unique instruments, satirical prints and even mathematical playing cards.’

The exhibition runs between June 17 and September 6 before travelling to the Yale Center for British Art in New Haven in February. It will be open from midday until 5pm from Tuesday to Fridays, 10am until 5pm on Saturdays and 2pm until 5pm on Sundays.

There will be a number of related events including family events, talks and lectures to tie in with the exhibition.