Shipwreck 2, The Wreck of the Alba” by Alfred Wallis
June 22nd 2024
“Shipwreck 2, The Wreck of the Alba” Alfred Wallis, 1938-40, Kettle’s Year, Cambridge. In January 1938 the steamship Alba, carrying coal from Wales to Civitavecchia, encountered a severe storm in the Bristol Channel. Some of the crew described the waves
DAVID JONES’ VEXILLA REGIS
June 15th 2024
“Vexilla Regis”, David Jones, 1948, Kettle’s Yard, Cambridge. In 1947 David Jones was admitted to Bowden House at Harrow for psychiatric care. In front of his window there was huge cedar of Lebanon, with a chestnut tree on one side
The Crucifixion at Moone
June 8th 2024
I am still focused on the 10th Century High Cross at Moone, Co. Kildare. This week I want to draw your attention to the crucifixion scene which is directly above the twelve apostles on the west side of the cross.
THE LOAVES AND FISHES AT MOONE
June 1st 2024
The 10th Century High Cross at Moone, Co. Kildare, is the finest example of what are known as scripture crosses, named after the Cross of the Scriptures at Clonmacnois which is referred in the Annals (1060) as Cross na
THE HIGH CROSS AT MOONE CO. KILDARE
May 25th 2024
The 10th Century High Cross at Moone, Co. Kildare, stands almost 5m tall, making it the second tallest such cross in Ireland. It is remarkably well preserved. This is due to the fact that it was buried in the
PENTECOST AT SANTO DOMINIGO DE SILOS
May 18th 2024
“Pentecost”, late 11th century,, Cloister, Abbey of Santo Silos de Domingo, Burgos, Spain. This relief showing Pentecost should really be viewed alongside the relief of the Ascension. They are o the same pillar in the cloister of Santo Domingo
ASCENSION AT SANTO DOMINGO DE SILOS
May 17th 2024
“The Ascension”, late 11th century,, Cloister, Abbey of Santo Domingo de Silos, Burgos Spain. At first glance this does not look like the Ascension. It becomes a bit more like it, when you understand that the wave like carving
Chagall’s Fall Of Icarus
May 3rd 2024
“The Fall of Icarus”, Marc Chagall, 1974-77, Georges Pompidou Centre, Paris. In his later years Chagall (1887 -1985) often painted Icarus, but this one was painted when he was in his late 80’s. Chagall was a Jew, who had survived
CIMA DA CONGELIOANO’S INCREDULITY OF ST THOMAS AND BISHOP MAGNUS
April 6th 2024
“The Incredulity of Saint Thomas and the Bishop Saint Magnus”, Cima da Conegliano, 1504-1505, Gallerie dell’ Accademia, Venice. This commission came from a guild of builders. The association of St Thomas with builders derives from the account of
