3-021-006 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

"St. Pierre, Caen", by S. Read, in the exhibition of the Society of Painters in Water-Colours, 1868. 'The drawing by Mr. S. Read which we have engraved...represents, with much spirit of handling and effective colouring, one of those glimpses of mediaeval churches in harmonious association with olden civic architecture, which are still to be obtained in many Continental towns, but which, in the rapid march of modern "street improvements," are becoming extremely rare in our own land [ie England]. The Church of St. Pierre...presents the interest to the architectural student of being surmounted by one of the most graceful towers and spires, in the complete Gothic style. The middle story, formed of tall lancet-windows, framed within reeded mouldings, is instanced as a model of strength and lightness. The spire of stone...was built in 1308, and is 242 ft. high...The church is situated near the centre of the town, on one side of a small market-place, which is full of bustle and quaint costumes, in the early part of the day. The view is taken from one of the ancient streets abutting on the market-place, remarkable for the picturesque forms of the timber-built houses, with their overhanging stories and richly-carved fronts and gables'. From "Illustrated London News", 1868.