Duncan Grant (1885-1978)

Grant was a great admirer of Wren's architecture and of St Paul's in particular. In 1913 he painted a large Post-Impressionist painting of 'the spirit of Christopher Wren' hovering over the dome of the cathedral. The building is also prominent in several Thames scenes, from Bankside (1920-22; Keynes Collection, King's College, Cambridge) to Waterloo Bridge (Southampton City Art Gallery). In 1939 Queen Elizabeth (later the Queen Mother) bought a large view of St Paul's painted circa 1938-39. A view of the cathedral of 1941, with bomb sites and ruined buildings around it, was acquired by the Imperial War Museum. The present work is the last image Grant painted of the cathedral, showing some post-War clearing but before the re-building around it had begun. Fittingly, Grant's memorial service took place at St Paul's in June 1978, a month after his death.

We are grateful to Richard Shone for providing the above catalogue entry.