The Shard, London’s tallest tower, is one of the most extraordinary buildings on the planet. Driving into the capital from the north-east, you see the crystal arrowhead soaring above the city, its identity shimmering somewhere between futuristic space-port and medieval cathedral spire.

Seen up close, its reflective glass captures the English sky – whether a cloud-scuffed summer’s day, a leaden winter afternoon, or a polychrome autumn sunset – and concentrates the celestial colours into pure essence.