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178 - South-east view of St Magnus’ Cathedral, Kirkwall, Orkney

Courtesy of National Library of Scotland | CC BY 4.0

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Date

1818

Artist

Collection

National Library of Scotland

Image Link

https://digital.nls.uk/74635546

Description

This drawing, although unsigned, is dated 1818 and it is one of seven views of the Cathedral held in the Hutton Drawings. The ruins of the Earl's Palace are on the left. Today the modern town centre surrounds both these buildings and the panorama is very different. Rognvald the Earl of Norway founded St Magnus’ Cathedral, the most northern in Great Britain, in 1137. It commemorates the Earl's uncle, Magnus, who had died a martyr in 1117. It stood on a prime piece of shore land, just as much of Kirkwall now sits on reclaimed land, and was an expression of the new Earl’s power. Rognvald, a usurper to his title, attempted to use the building to win support amongst Orkney’s aristocracy.
Collective title: Hutton Drawings > [Volume 2] > Orkney
More details about the album and its contents can be found on the collection website.

Image Licence

CC BY 4.0

Image Credit

Courtesy of National Library of Scotland

Location

St Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall, Scotland

Country

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Landscapes
Religious Buildings
Architecture
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Category

Buildings & Architecture

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© 2024 Watercolour World | Technology by The Museum Platform

© 2024 Watercolour World | Technology by The Museum Platform