Cass Gilbert: Durham Cathedral, 1913

image courtesy of Smithsonian American Art Museum

Cass Gilbert (1859-1934) was an American architect and an early proponent of skyscrapers. His works include the Woolworth Building, the United States Supreme Court building, and many state capitols, museums and libraries throughtout America. Gilbert took annual trips to Europe, and he had a long term interest in British architecture. His works feature many watercolours of iconic British buildings, including Durham Cathedral, Winsdor Castle, Wells Cathedral and Battle Abbey.

Durham Cathedral was constructed between 1093 and 1133 in the Romanesque style. It was founded as a monastic cathedral built to house the shrine of St Cuthbert, replacing an earlier church constructed in his honour. It's Norman architecture has survived largely intact, and it is the oldest surviving building with a stone vaulted ceiling of such a large scale. It is the seat of the Bishop of Durham, the fourth-ranked bishop in the Church of England hierarchy. The Dean and Chapter Library contains some of the most complete sets of early printed books in England including the pre-Dissolution monastic accounts and three copies of Magna Carta.

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HC-1329: card size 7" x 5" (178mm x 127mm)