105. Title & Author: Sir Christopher Wren by Glorney Bolton (191 pages)Genre: Nonfiction--Art History
Completed: 26 July 2009
Summary & Review:
The dome of St. Paul's has majestically loomed over London for centuries and it almost singly occupied the mind of one man for more than 35 years. That man was the English architect Sir Christopher Wren. Bolton examines the architectural works of Wren through the construction of St. Paul's and how the process of building that single structure epitomized the obstacles, challenges, successes, and professional characteristics of Wren.
I've recently read a book entitled Christopher Wren, another one entitled Wren, and now Sir Christopher Wren. Creative titles. This was my favorite of the three, though. It was a very interesting look into the mind and personality of Wren through the lens of St. Paul's. The decades long process that Wren was able to complete during his lifetime (which I'm really happy he did since so many masterpieces, like St. Peter's for Michelangelo, were never viewed by their creators) was filled with challenges and problems that Wren's able and nimble mind overcame through ingenious innovations. As Bolton so excellently put it, "He was like an English Leonardo." (60)
Rating: 8.0
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