I will quote shamelessly from the little brochure I got from the church. Of the Frescoes in the Chancel, it says this:
"The scheme of painting in the chancel is internationally significant and certainly comprises one of the most important schemes of wall painting in England. The frescoes are remarkable in that the scheme is cirtually complete and are dated on stylistic grounds to the 1120s."
"The style of the Chancel paintings is recognizably Romanesque and has its roots in late Anglo-Saxon as well as western French painting. Influences also come ultimately from Italy and Byzantium, and from the pilgrim route to Santiago de Compostela. It has been suggested that one of the pilgrim figures is not a de Lacy but St James himself, whose shrine was at Santiago."
"The chancel paintings are usually described as frescoes, where pigment is applied to damp (i.e.fresh) plaster and the pigments are fixed by carbonisation of the lime. Kempley's paintings are probably mezzo-frescoes where the painting is done before the full carbonisation of the plaster using limewater and casein as the binder of the pigment. Azurite, a natural blue mineral pigment visible within the haloes and draperies, is unsuitable as a fresco pigment as it turns black in reaction to the alkalinity of the lime."
The Altar Window was made by Victorian stained glass artist Charles E Kemp (1837-1907) and was commissioned by the Reverend Drummond in memory of his wife, Armynel, who died in April 1876 when they had only been married for 8 years. What an unusual Christian name. Kempe's work is typified by the peacock feathers in the wings of the Angels, and also the blond curls and cherubic faces (not that you can see this detail in the photo, sadly). I have discovered there is actually a Kempe Society under the auspices of the National Churches Trust.
I must see this church for myself one of these days.
ReplyDeleteThe plan for the weekend has been sorted: Friday - Burford for lunch and "light" shopping, then the churches at Foy & Orcop (a trip to Baileys home & garden as well if we make good time). The show on Saturday & on Sunday a run up to Yarpole near Leominster & a quick trip into town on our way to our usual late lunch at The Nest at Trumpet near Ledbury before heading home.
I wish I was fit enough to really make the most of these weekends, but will do what I can until my knee is finally fixed.
You're certainly doing the rounds and packing a lot into your weekend. We know theTrumpet x-roads well from our monthly trips up to Malvern. Orcop is a pretty little church. Hope your knee stands up to the walking round the show.
DeleteThe problem is my mind still moves at the pace I want to, and sets my to do list. I'll have cohesive strapping, cold compresses & prescription painkillers with me to recover overnight, and will make a point of taking seated breaks through the day. And of course my most comfortable walking shoes.
DeleteOh gosh those wall paintings are just stunning. Thanks so much for all the photos and information. I could spend weeks in Herefordshire just visiting churches let alone all those gorgeous villages :)
ReplyDeleteThe church has the most amazing . . . atmosphere. It's hard to explain, but there is a sort of energy there, especially if you stand on the step up into the chancel, under the arch. You have to experience it . . .
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