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Five hundred years ago the walls of every church, chapel, abbey and cathedral were painted with images illustrating the Infancy and Passion of Christ, the miracles and martyrdoms of saints, subjects linked to Death, judgement and the afterlife, implorations to the faithful to embrace pious living and rebukes to transgressors and those who disrespected the church.. They were a peoples’ art for a peoples’ faith. Such paintings ranged from masterpieces commissioned by kings and bishops executed by some of the finest artists of their age to others made by travelling artists working on their own or with a single assistant who journeyed between a network of local parish churches. To medieval audiences such images were beautiful irrespective of who painted them. Their colours and vibrancy were uplifting and inspiring. Together with other arts such as painted glass, embroideries, sculpture and inlaid tiles, these paintings transformed even the poorest of churches into harbingers of the heavenly Jerusalem. Sadly the furies of the Reformation, together with centuries of neglect and occasional modifications to churches which have seen walls rebuilt, roofs lowered and ancient plaster stripped to reveal bare stone coursing, have destroyed the vast majority of the paintings that once existed. Today, many just cling to survival, others are threatened by damp and the rising cost of conservation. Both this site – and my book – are designed to encourage greater interest in our heritage of medieval wall paintings. I want to share my enthusiasm for this unique art with others. Over the coming months I will be adding new features to the site. Please do not hesitate to contact me.
Roger Rosewell
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