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.


Saturday, 14 March 2026

Sculpture from the barracks at Vindolanda


Almost a year ago The Independent reported the discovery at the site of Vindolanda of a portion of a Roman panel from the gateway to the barracks building. Dated to 213, after the end of the Severan Wars, it depicts the goddess Victoria ( Victory ). From the photograph it appears to have the rather chubby characteristics of Roman provincial culture rather than the high art of Rome in its Classical metropolitan heyday, but it has a rugged charm and is a link to the cultural life of its time and location.
 

Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)