Welcome to this month’s Wandering Camera! For my new readers, Wandering Camera is a linky party hosted here on the last Thursday of every month. I usually share my photos, and occasionally artwork too, and I welcome you to share any photos or creative posts here. I have been sharing a few photos from the Oxford university area, along with a bit of related architectural history.
On the last post, I wrote about the Catte Street area. I would like to continue the journey from there. Right across the Sheldonian theatre is the Divinity School. The door in the middle of the large windows was inserted by Christopher Wren in the 1600s for easy access between the two buildings.
The Divinity School was built over multiple decades as a lecture hall in the 1400s . I really fell in love with the large windows in this room.
The gorgeous vaulted ceiling was designed by Willam Orchard, an English Gothic architect. The building is attached to the Bodleian Library. The beautiful ceiling supports the old library upstairs.
I won’t bore you with the architectural details, but simply let you enjoy the photos. The entirety of the ceiling is carved with images. Please click on the image thumbnails to see the photos.
The entry to this beautiful hall is through the Old Schools Quad on Catte Street.
The tower of the Quad is the main entrance to the Bodleian Library and is known as the Tower Of The Five Orders.
The ornamentation of the tower is based on the five orders of the classical architecture, hence the name.
Here are a couple of detail sketches from my travel journal.
The Window of the Divinity School
One of the many faces in the Old School Quad. This one was at the doorway of Schola Astronomiae et Rhetoricae, also the library gift shop. The names later appeared in one my paintings – The Magician’s Bookshelf.
I really wish I had a lot more time to take in all the details. However, as is the case with international travel, one is always pressed for time. A four-hour drive to the City Of York was ahead of us, and I still wanted to stop by Exeter College. So I tore myself away from here and started to walk toward Turl Street.
I am a little behind with replying to emails and visiting you back, but I am hoping to catch up within the next few days. If you have not heard back from me, my sincere apologies.
Here are my previous posts and photos from Oxford, England, 2016 –
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43 thoughts on “Wandering Camera – Quad And Divinity School, Oxford”
Michelle November 7, 2021 at 06:06
Oh wow! The inside of the Divinity School is just breathtaking!
Michelle
bi***************@gm***.com
RachelSwirl November 6, 2021 at 08:58
Wow-what a magnificent building! Thanks for sharing and for linking up with #MySundaySnapshot.
Sarah MumofThree World November 6, 2021 at 00:19
The Oxford University buildings really are stunning and it was interesting to read a little of the history. I only live an hour from Oxford, but you have looked at them in far greater depth than I have!
Dee November 3, 2021 at 23:32
Oh wow! What a handsome building. And the details on the ceilings are amazing, too.
Your sketches are awesome, Soma.
Sharon Wagner November 2, 2021 at 06:08
Wow! The ceiling is divine. I’m adding you to my blog linky list.
Veronica Lee November 2, 2021 at 04:00
Beautiful photos Soma.
The architecture is magnificent!
Happy Tuesday!
Fun60 November 1, 2021 at 23:55
You have captured the heart of a part of Oxford’s exquisite and unique architecture. Wonderful photos and I enjoyed seeing your related artwork.
A ShutterBug Explores November 1, 2021 at 17:42
Magnificent photography of a very beautiful place and buildings ~ Xo
Living in the moment,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Lavender Dreams November 1, 2021 at 16:43
It really is amazing architecture and a place I will probably never get to see. So thanks for sharing and giving me an idea of what these buildings look like! Enjoy your evening!
Tammy A November 1, 2021 at 13:37
Stunning photos Soma, the architecture is amazing, what a beautiful building! Your paintings in your travel journal are gorgeous! Enjoy your week.
Hugs, Tammy
Angie November 1, 2021 at 11:26
Soma – this brings back so many memories of my time going to university for a semester just outside Oxford. I dig that vaulted ceiling SOOOO much! Thanks for linking to Mosaic Monday!
Andrée November 1, 2021 at 09:39
Hi Soma, it’s true that when travelling there is never enough time. I would love to spend a month somewhere and just get to know one new area of the world. Who knows, that might happen.
Tamar A Strauss-Benjamin November 1, 2021 at 06:16
That architecture is stunning!!
Carol November 1, 2021 at 02:58
you’ve really captured all the amazing details of the buildings
Kim Carberry October 31, 2021 at 10:29
What beautiful buildings. The ceilings really are stunning. x
Sam October 31, 2021 at 08:33
What a stunning building to take photos of X #mysundaysnapshot
Connie Griffin October 31, 2021 at 06:52
Oh wow such a beautiful building, I so love all the wonderful details that were put in these old buildings, like you said you could look all day at just one but there are so many to take in, I hope they are preserved forever!
Dawn Hart October 31, 2021 at 06:48
Wow you’re in the UK, I’ve fallen behind with my reading of blogs, we have some amazing architecture here and your photos are fabulous xxx
Anne Sweet October 31, 2021 at 03:20
I love Oxford University it’s architecture is amazing. I really love your sketches they have such lovely details.
Michelle Keltner October 30, 2021 at 16:36
Beautiful architecture! Thank you for linking up!
Wendy K October 30, 2021 at 10:26
Fabulous painting, love it.
Tammie October 30, 2021 at 08:47
Such gorgeous and magical architecture!
Your paintings are fine reminders of your time there and lovely to look at.
Bill October 30, 2021 at 06:12
I’ll say one thing you have been around a bit more of the collages than I have and I only live half an hour away plus I used to work in the city. Nice artwork
Eileen October 30, 2021 at 01:52
Hello,
Beautiful architecture, the details are amazing. Great tour and photos.
Have a happy weekend!
Luisella October 30, 2021 at 00:43
Hello Soma,
thanks for sharing these architectural details and info. I like this style quite much.
Have been to Cambridge a lifetime ago, but could not reach Oxford.
Happy weekend to you!
Thanks for your kind visits to my blog.
Shiju Sugunan October 29, 2021 at 21:06
Wonderful to see these impressive architecture. You’re right, time is never enough at such places. Lovely sketches too!
Sue October 29, 2021 at 20:26
Such an amazing place to visit.
Kim October 29, 2021 at 13:05
Soma, I would imagine walking around those magnificent, centuries old building would be one of life’s amazing experiences. The ceiling is incredible. All the more so, to think it was formed without any modern tools etc. I love your artwork of the Schola Astronomiae et Rhetoricae. I love the expression on his face.
Linda Calverley October 29, 2021 at 11:47
That ceiling is wonderful. Love your art work too.
Linda K October 29, 2021 at 09:53
this is such a stunning and breathtaking building… the architecture…. be still my heart!!! You have captured the old world charm in your paintings and photos so beautifully.
Christine October 29, 2021 at 07:03
Thanks for this glimpse of Oxford!
Valerie-Jael October 29, 2021 at 00:47
Thanks for sharing your photos. I spent a very happy semester in Oxford and never tire of looking at the beautiful buildings! Hugs, Valerie
Tracey October 28, 2021 at 23:34
Amazing architecture I can understand wishing you could stay longer to visit. The beautiful of photography captured as you have is that it gives us a fabulous resource to revisit time and time again. Your work is incredible Soma, what an incredible eye to have for seeking out those finer details. Thank you for sharing.
Creative wishes this PPF Tracey x
riitta k October 28, 2021 at 23:28
Impressive architecture with so many great details!
BLOGitse October 28, 2021 at 22:31
Beautiful colors, beautiful work!
Alison October 28, 2021 at 22:15
Beautiful photos Soma! Oxford is a wonderful city. I’ve only visited once, even though I’m only a couple of hours drive away.
betty - NZ October 28, 2021 at 19:47
I have enjoyed seeing this magnificent place!
The Joyful Quilter October 28, 2021 at 19:10
Thanks for sharing your photos and paintings, Soma. Both are gorgeous!
Susan October 28, 2021 at 16:30
I like old buildings mainly for their architecture which gives them so much character. Today’s sleek buildings are nice in their own way, but will never capture the timeless beauty of old buildings like these. The windows are beautiful, but I am glad I am not the one who has to clean them :-)
Mary October 28, 2021 at 14:13
It always amazes me when I see these older buildings with such breathtaking architecture. With all of the modern tools, one would think they would be easy to find these days. Stunning sketching, Soma.
Dixie October 28, 2021 at 12:31
Absolutely stunning architecture.
Your sketches are beautiful too, Soma.
Michele Morin October 28, 2021 at 04:38
Beautiful! I have only been to Oxford once, and it was a bus tour, so I saw what they thought was important.
Great images!
Amy Johnson October 28, 2021 at 04:25
Wow! What amazing architecture. Those windows especially are incredible!