The interior of Lutyens' model
Posted on 02/07/2007 11:52:39 AM PST by NYer
The interior of Lutyens' model
A scale model of a spectacular cathedral planned for Liverpool but abandoned after World War II has been put on display at the Walker Art Gallery.
The model like the cathedral itself was never completed. Since 1992 conservators at National Museums Liverpool have been working on the restoration of the model.
Edwin Lutyens was commissioned to design a cathedral for Liverpool’s Roman Catholic community in the 1930’s, on the site of the current Metropolitan Cathedral. The interruption caused by World War II and a lack of funds meant that only the crypt was built.
 A video tour of the model >Audio and Video links on this page require Realplayer In Pictures: Lutyens' Cathedral > |
If completed the cathedral would, at 520 feet, have been higher and larger than the Anglican Cathedral. Work on the model ceased before the interior could be completed and in 1975 it was presented to the Walker Art Gallery.
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| The restored model of Lutyens' Cathedral |
Conservators have painstakingly restored the model, which had been damaged over the years, and completed the interior to Lutyens’ final design.
Chris Moseley Head of Ship and Historical Model Conservation says “The whole of the exterior was finished for the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition in 1934.
“But the interior was incomplete and there were two reasons for that. The first was the diocese had got completely fed up with Lutyens coming back and asking for more and more money for this model which they thought they were never going to see.
“But also they had a design change at that point and they completely redesigned the sanctuary, the high altar and the choir, and that on the model was just an empty void.”
The architectural model is one of the most elaborate in Britain. During the war years it was stored in the crypt at the Metropolitan Cathedral and when the Walker received it in 1975 it had suffered damage with many parts including lanterns and spires missing. It had also been cleaned which resulted in its now faded appearance.
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| Detail inside the model |
If completed the Cathedral would have dominated Liverpool’s skyline, Julian Treuherz Keeper of Galleries at National Museums Liverpool says, “It was intended to be 520 feet high which is much higher than St Peters Rome, which is 450ft.
“Lutyens, I think, was of the opinion it wouldn’t happen in his lifetime, but he knew all about the big medieval cathedrals that took 300 or 400 years. I think he hoped that this might happen with this one.”
The exhibition, The Cathedral That Never Was - Lutyens' design for Liverpool, runs from 27 January to 22 April at the Walker Art Gallery.
in 1962.
Uggggh. There it is. The space capsule.
You know, comparing the two (what might have been and what actually is) is almost enough to bring tears to the eyes....
The architect was a Wizard of Oz fan.
That's hideous!
That's a big model. Cool lookin'. I suspect financing was a factor after WWII.
Soon to be converted into a mosque
I had rather see it converted into rubble ... and a Cathedral built in its place.
RIPLEY
That the atmosphere processor?
BURKE
Uh-hunh. One of thirty or so, all over the planet. They're completely automated. We manufacture them, by the way.
Too bad they didn't build Lutyens' Romanesque basilica. That would have been spectacular.
There seems to be a lot of Eastern Orthodox influence in that design.
My reaction was: "That'd look right at home in Salt Lake City!"
Models of that sort are made in pieces, for easy transport. Some original models of St. Peter's in Rome still exist, and recently went on a world tour. That one is made of wood and plaster.
Ahhhhhh. That hurt.
AB, you'd prolly like this book if you haven;t already read it. It is fascinating...
http://www.walkerbooks.com/books/catalog.php?key=134
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