The Sheldonian Theater

In the forefront of the Renaissance development was Christopher Wren (1632-1723) who, at the age of 25, was Professor of Astronomy at Gresham College and, four years later, the Savilian Professor at Oxford. Later he was appointed Surveyor General by Charles II, but his career as an architect began with the design of the Sheldonian Theater. Its plan, in the D-shape of ancient theaters-derived from Serlio's reconstruction of the Theater of Marcellus illustrated in the 1611 English edition of his book on architecture. Wren's theater differs from the Roman prototype in the addition of windows in the upper story and in its roof of 70-foot span which, in place of a canvas velarium, encloses the building. In imitation of the ancient coverings are the ceiling paintings by Robert Steator in which he represented panels secured by golden cords. While working on the Sheldonian, Wren made his only visit abroad, traveling to Paris and Versailles. Here he spoke with Mansard and Bernini, the latter then sity-eight years old and the most respected architect in Europe. Although Wren's mechanical skill was evident in the Sheldonian, in total the effort was one of wren's few overall failures.