Astrid's Work - St Paul's Nativity

St Pauls Nativity 1975

The commission for this now well know Nativity scene came from Canon Wilson of St Pauls after a suggestion by David Cockroft who had photographed the Shakespeare Exhibition.

Astrid had great pleasure in it’s creation, and the evening that I spent with her at the cathedral for the photographic session is filed with vivid memories.

It is rare that one has the entire building of St Paul’s to oneself, but in doing so I found myself surrounded with a great sense of history and art. That Astrid’s work had been recognised as fitting for such a venerated location, seemed very fitting.

The Nativity was only on display over the Christmas season, and inevitably each year there were small knocks and bumps to be repaired occasioned by its being moved into storage. Astrid always attended to this herself. It was of great importance to her that any repairs should exactly match the original.

I am reliably informed that David Cockroft and Canon Wilson were the models for two of the Wise men.

In 1989 it was moved to Lincoln Cathedral, and to the best of my knowledge it remains there. One can only trust that any future repairs will be carried out with the same sensitivity that Astrid herself would have used.

The original maquette

Shepherds cast in bronze. The only part of the Nativity work that has a so far been cast.