Not Just Illuminations! Historical Wall Paintings of the Gothic School of St Albans

One reader wondered if it would really be possible to adapt a style that is known largely as one for book illuminations and on a small scale to full-scale liturgical art. This was a very good point. I responded that I thought that it was possible and speculated as to how I might do it. Two people have separately reminded me of the existence of wall paintings in British churches from the 14th and 15th centuries that bear the essential characteristics of the School of Saint Albans, and perhaps demonstrate to artists today a way in which a modern style that builds on this foundation might be done on a large scale. Thanks to Deacon Lawrence Klimecki and Gina Switzer for this. (Both of themm are working artists who are taking the Pontifex University Masters in Sacred Arts).

We have seen many of these images before on this site, but it wasn’t until recently I made the stylistic connection of the illuminations of the time. The most famous church of this style is St Cadoc’s in Glamorgan, Wales.

Just to remind you, here is an illumination of shepherds being informed of the birth of Our Lord:

What strikes me about this style is that it will be on a practical level easier to produce as wall paintings. An artist who know what he is doing do such paintings in fresco or on panels quickly and easily and well. This will help to bring down costs for commissions, and increase sales for artists who are looking to make a living.