Interior of church, section and north wall

Title

Interior of church, section and north wall

Description

This is a detailed longitudinal section drawing of the basilica at the Monastery of St. Catherine, Mount Sinai. Created by George H. Forsyth, the drawing represents a precise architectural cross-section of the church, showcasing its structural and spatial design.
The section illustrates the basilica’s interior, with prominent architectural elements such as the arcade of arches supported by columns. Above the arches, a clerestory with rectangular windows allows light to penetrate the upper part of the nave, emphasizing the verticality of the space. The drawing highlights the layering of architectural features, including the curved apse at the far left and the stepped entrance at the far right. The thickness of the walls is indicated in solid black, providing clarity on the structural composition.
Additional details include the capitals of the columns, varying in design, and the overall symmetry of the basilica’s layout. The note at the bottom specifies the orientation ("West" to "East"), which helps contextualize the spatial arrangement relative to the basilica’s liturgical function. This drawing, identified as "drawing no. 637," is a significant part of the Ilene H. Forsyth collection, which documents George H. Forsyth's scholarly and artistic study of this historic site. (Ilene H. Forsyth with Elizabeth Sears, “George H. Forsyth and the Sacred Fortress at Sinai,” Architecture, Dumbarton Oaks Papers, vol. 70, 2016, 124).

https://archive.org/details/DOP70_05_Forsyth_and_Sears

Publisher

Bentley Image Bank, Bentley Historical Library

Source

George and Ilene Forsyth papers; Forsyth, George H.

Type

Image

Format

jpeg