Quentin Blake Unveils 'An Informal Panorama'
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Celebrating 800 Years
Downing alumnus Quentin Blake (1953) unveiled Cambridge 800: An Informal Panorama at Addenbrokes Hospital on 28 September as part of the University of Cambridge's 800th Anniversary celebrations. The event was attended by Downing Master, Prof Barry Everitt and University Vice-Chancellor, Alison Richard.
This remarkable set of images presents a light-hearted view of chapters from the institution’s history and follows on from Blake’s involvement in the 800th Anniversary lightshow earlier this year which featured his artwork.
Bearing Blake’s iconic bold and whimsical lines, the 70ft wide piece is a collection of 15 illustrations opening with scholars arriving at the university town in 1209. Along the way we meet Henry VII enjoying a performance of King’s College Choir, John Milton at his candlelit desk writing Paradise Lost and Crick and Watson celebrating the discovery of DNA structure.
Stills from An Informal Panorama can be viewed on the 800th Anniversary Website.
