Crick Smith
The Sheldonian Theatre
Designed by Wren in 1668, the details of the original historic decoration of this significant Grade I listed building was not understood. Combining historical evidence with paint research and analysis the interiors were researched and recorded, enabling the client to decide on redecoration. Ongoing works will reveal areas of the original finish and undertake paint trials.
The Sheldonian Theatre, Oxford was built by Sir Christopher Wren and completed in 1668. This important historic building is part of Oxford University and hosts the annual ‘Encaenia’; the ceremony at which the University of Oxford awards honorary degrees and commemorates its benefactors.
Extensive archive records exist detailing Wren’s proposal for an ornate original decorative scheme within the building. This detailed the use of ‘Cedar Colour’ and marbled paint finishes. However, it was not known to what extent those designs had been carried out, and how much of the evidence survived beneath later overpaints.
During 2007/08 restoration program of the ornate painted ceiling panels by Streeter provided an ideal opportunity to discover the detail of the original scheme and also to understand how this had been altered and developed over time. There have been known alterations within the auditorium, and more recently a redecoration had been undertaken based upon paint scrapes supposedly replicating part of the original scheme. The accuracy of these paint scrapes and the historic significance of other surviving finishes were also in question.
The Oxford University Estates Directorate called upon Crick Smith to undertake the full research and paint analysis of the main auditorium and circulation spaces. Evidence from an extensive paint survey was cross-referenced to the extensive archival information supplied by the client. A full paint research report was provided to the client detailing the complete decorative history of these areas and importantly the historic significance of areas of the current marbled scheme.
Crick Smith has been asked to undertake further on-site work, revealing areas of the original marbled finishes and supervising the replication of these to the required standard. Using our historic decorative finishes expertise we are able to specify and supervise paint trials and redecoration works.
This will enable Oxford University to redecorate this significant historic interior and recapture the lost original intention as conceived by Sir Christopher Wren.
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