Underwood planned an extensive architectural study of the Holy Apostles, which would be based on the translations prepared by Downey.
Underwood prepared a series of drawings for his architectural study of the Holy Apostles that illustrate the geometry on which the building was based. He began with an abstract notion of a cube, which is unfolded to form the four arms of the cruciform church; this derives from the detailed description of the basic geometry as presented in the poem by the Rhodian. Underwood prepared the drawings while Downey was working on the translation of the poem. The two scholars worked side by side to make sense of those difficult passages of the poem, and the best way to do so was by visualizing what seemed very abstract in the words of the Rhodian. Underwood states that they “attempt to recreate, in graphic terms, the imagery of the poet. . . . By adding, in a series of drawings, each successive element, as it is introduced, the drawings will finally grow into a representation of the Church as a whole.” The method of collaboration is evident in the inclusion of original passages in the drawings.
Exhibit Items
MS.BZ.019-BF.F.1993.F2819
MS.BZ.019-BF.F.1993.F2828
MS.BZ.019-BF.F.1993.F2818
MS.BZ.019-BFF.F.1993.F2817
MS.BZ.019-BF.F.1993.F2830
MS.BZ.019-BF.F.1993.F2821
MS.BZ.019-BF.F.1993.F2816
MS.BZ.019-BF.F.1993.F2831
MS.BZ.019-BF.F.1993.F2825
MS.BZ.019-BF.F.1993.F2829
Page 27 of a draft version by Paul A. Underwood. MS.BZ.019-03-01-045.
Verses 548 to 582 from the translation by Glanville Downey, November 3, 1945. MS.BZ.019-03-01-050.
Notes by Paul A. Underwood. MS.BZ.019-03-01-052.
Drawing by Paul A. Underwood. MS.BZ.019-03-01-048.