I am not an art critic. I have a working knowledge of western art history. However, I do know quite a bit about the history of Leicestershire. (Note: Over the years I have thought I knew a lot about a particular subject. Again and again I have been disabused as to the depth of my knowledge. So I now know that whatever I might know there is far more to know and that I will be on the this journey for the rest of my life – you might think this somewhat apt!)
The other day whilst out capturing images for our latest art/photographic project my friend David and I visited the parish church at Lutterworth. As soon as you walk into the Nave you are meet with some very rare surviving medieval religious painting.
Then over the north door there was a second set of paintings:
“There are at least two paintings that date from the later middle ages and may be influenced by Wyclif’s teachings – John Wyclif served as rector from 1375 until his death in 1384.
Above the north door is a C14th painting of three figures in fine clothes, engaged in hunting with falcons. The image as a whole had probably been painted on top of an older scene – a priest and cardinal from this were restored and can be seen embedded in the lower right-hand corner of the present image.
Over the main chancel arch is a C15th image of Christ reigning in glory over the general resurrection. Christ is at the top, seated on a rainbow, surrounded by angels. In the bottom half are at least 29 men and women, some skeletal, rising from their graves. It is unusual since it does not also show the judgement of the dead.” Hornbeck 2014
The church itself is of some religious significance as John Wycliffe, a significant voice in the early stirrings of the English reformation, was once the vicar until his death. Wycliffe’s best known contribution to the reformation was to translate the Bible into vernacular middle English. However, after his death he was declared a heretic; his body was dug up and burnt. The ashes were the ‘drowned‘ in the local river.
Fortunately for Wycliffe history has been kinder. Wherever you look in Lutterworth you find references to Wycliffe. Perhaps at the end of days he will be one of the people rising out of the grave, as depicted in the great painting in his church, whilst his accusers will be cast down into hell. Of the many things I don’t know that is perhaps the most profound.
Hornbeck II, J., P. (2014). Wall Paintings in Wyclif’s Church: Evidence of a Reformer’s Legacy?. Transactions of the Leicestershire Archaeological and Historical Society Vol 88, Leicester: Leicestershire Archaeological & Historical Society. pp. 47-54.
https://doi.org/10.5284/1108203
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