2-708-224 - Historic England Archive/Heritage Images

St Paul's Cathedral, City of London, c1955-c1980. Exterior view of St Paul's Cathedral, showing a view of the dome roof, seen from the north-east with St Paul's Cross in the foreground. St Paul's Cathedral was built in the classical style with mostly Portland stone between 1675-1710 by Sir Christopher Wren to replace the previous medieval cathedral that had burnt in the Great Fire of London. The image shows the north elevation, with transept on the right, topped with a wide pediment. Over the pediment are a number of statues, four of which can be seen from the ground. The central domed roof, painted by Thornhill rises from the main body of the church and is supported by an collonade of Corinthian columns. It is surmounted by a square cupola with cross. In the foreground is St Paul's Cross, sculpted in 1910 by Sir Reginal Blomfield and Sir Bertram Mackennal. It consists of a large columns topped with a square plinth and bronze figure of St Paul holding a staff with cross. At the base of the column are four figures of children that crouch and almost appear to hold the column by their shoulders. The base of the cross is not seen in the image.