Ian Crick Smith

The Sheldonian Theatre

The Sheldonian Theatre:

The Sheldonian Theatre:

The Sheldonian Theatre:

The Sheldonian Theatre:

The Sheldonian Theatre:

The Sheldonian Theatre:

ElementCornice Scheme details Upper plaster wallfaces Windows Wainscot panelling Large canvas covered Later stair screen bolections panels panels Seating generally Gallery fronts and entablatures All elements on balcony Doors sections Door architraves Organ case

7. 1963 Scheme extant 2008

Modern alkyd oilpaints (post 1950)

Oil gilding and cream alkyd oilpaint

Cream alkyd oilpaint

Orange/brown alkyd oilpaint plus varnish

Pale cream alkyd oilpaint

Pale cream alkyd oilpaint

Pale cream alkyd oilpaint

Orange/brown alkyd oilpaint plus varnish

Retained with retouching

Retained with retouching

Pale stone colour alkyd Retained with oilpaint retouching

Current pale brown/stone coloured oilpaint

Mid cream alkyd oilpaint

6. 1936 Incl. zinc oilpaints

Gold paint and warm cream lead oilpaint including sand

Warm stone zinc based Warm stone coloured oilpaint zinc based oilpaint

Warm stone coloured zinc based oilpaint

Warm stone coloured zinc based oilpaint

Mid cream plus varnish Warm stone coloured (Woodgraining zinc based oilpaint scheme?)

2 tone marble scheme 2 tone marble scheme Warm stone coloured zinc based oilpaint (some later retouching) (some later retouching)

Pale marble scheme

Scheme 5 retained

Softwood

5. 1876 Relates to Organ replacement

Pale grey lead oilpaint Pale grey lead oilpaint No evidence. Element either extensively cleaned back or replaced

Pale grey lead oilpaint Pale grey lead oilpaint

Yellow/cream lead oilpaint

Pale marbling scheme Pale marbling scheme Woodgraining scheme Woodgraining scheme Mid brown lead oilpaint with gilding

Softwood 3. 1761-2 Kettle Scheme 2. 1720 Witherington Scheme Pale peach coloured lead oilpaint Pale cream lead oilpaint Suggestion: Stone Colour Pale blue lead oilpaint Mid grey distemper Warm cream lead oilpaint Warm cream lead oilpaint Warm cream lead oilpaint Warm cream lead oilpaint Suggestion for redecoration: Stone Colour Pale marbling scheme Pale marbling scheme Pale brown lead oilpaint Lead white oilpaint

Pale brown lead oilpaint Pale marbling scheme Pale marbling scheme Rich brown lead oilpaint Lead white oilpaint (Cedar Colour) Suggestion for redecoration: Stone Colour

1. Original scheme 1668 Wren & Hawkins Scheme

Pale stone coloured lead oilpaint STONE COLOUR

Dark stone coloured distemper STONE COLOUR

Pale stone coloured lead oilpaint STONE COLOUR

Pale stone coloured lead oilpaint STONE COLOUR

Rich brown lead oilpaint Pale stone coloured lead oilpaint CEDAR COLOUR STONE COLOUR

Pale stone coloured lead oilpaint STONE COLOUR

Rich brown lead oilpaint Pale stone coloured lead oilpaint CEDAR COLOUR STONE COLOUR

Substrate

Fine plaster

Lime plaster

Timber

Oak

Oak

Oak

Oak

Oak

Oak

Oak

The Sheldonian Theatre:

The Sheldonian Theatre:

The Sheldonian Theatre:

The Sheldonian Theatre:

The Sheldonian Theatre:

In 2008 I appointed Crick Smith to undertake research into the painted plaster and timber finishes with the Sheldonian Theatre; the main ceremonial hall of the University of Oxford, and Sir Christopher Wrens first architectural commission, (built 1664-69). Their work included archival research and the analysis and interpretation of samples of paint finishes within the main auditorium and adjacent circulation areas, to help identify the original and subsequent painted finishes.