Once I was a clever boy learning the arts of Oxford... is a quotation from the verses written by Bishop Richard Fleming (c.1385-1431) for his tomb in Lincoln Cathedral. Fleming, the founder of Lincoln College in Oxford, is the subject of my research for a D. Phil., and, like me, a son of the West Riding. I have remarked in the past that I have a deeply meaningful on-going relationship with a dead fifteenth century bishop... it was Fleming who, in effect, enabled me to come to Oxford and to learn its arts, and for that I am immensely grateful.


Wednesday, 25 January 2012

St Paul - an early portrait


Today being the feast of the Conversion of St Paul it seems appropriate to post a photograph of a painting identified as being of him which was uncovered by Vatican archaeologists in June 2010. It is in the catacomb of St Thecla in Rome and is dated to the late fourth century, and conforms to the easly descriptions of the Apostle of the Gentiles. Whilst it is not a portrait from life it does indicate both a consistant tradition of how St Paul should be presented in art, and it is alo a reminder of the quality of work being produced in the early centuries of the Church's history.


Image: La Repubblica.it

The story of St Thecla and her association with St Paul, together with some links, is recounted in this online account.

Posted by at
Labels: , ,

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)