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.


Thursday 17 February 2022

Popular piety in church paintings in Mexico


The New York Times has an interesting article about a group of churches in central Mexico that contain wonderful examples of painted decoration that combine medieval and Baroque European piety with indigenous motifs and techniques. This sumptuous and joyful tradition existed from the dissemination of the decrees and spirit of the Council of Trent until the early nineteenth century. A number of examples of these fragile paintings are illustrated and show what was achieved in small communities in rural areas. Not only fascinating in themselves they are a reminder of what was, and of what we have lost, in so much of Europe.

The author also draws attention to the vulnerability of these paintings and of the churches themselves and also to the issues around restoration and conservation in buildings with a continuing and living tradition.



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