Medieval Wall Painting: Salisbury, Wiltshire and Beyond

Before the Reformation, churches were adorned with mural paintings depicting Christ, the Saints, the Seven Deadly Sins, and the Last Judgement.

This weekend course will investigate the interior of medieval churches, focusing on wall painting in Salisbury, Wiltshire, England and Wales.

There will be excursions to St Thomas’ Church and Salisbury Cathedral to examine the medieval wall paintings in situ (and also consider the ‘Death and the Gallant’ paintings from the lost Hungerford chapel, commissioned by Lady Hungerford).

Other significant Wiltshire paintings will be examined back at the college including Lacock Abbey, Highworth, Inglesham, Lydiard Tregoze and Purton. We will also look at significant painting schemes outside the county, including Westminster Abbey.

The course will examine aspects such as painting function, patronage, and use of pigment. We will also examine a range of different painting types, from Doom paintings to depictions of St George, to the Seven Deadly Sins. We will look at the types of imagery, the various functions, and how medieval audiences engaged with paintings. We will also consider the conservation issues for churches today, and how to deal with the discovery of medieval murals in your church.

Please note that this course has been cancelled. Contact Alison Ogden for all enquiries.
aogden@sarum.ac.uk  |  01722 424826  |  01722 424800 (main reception)