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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2017/dec/24/protect-art-survived-puritan-destruction
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| We must protect our art that survived the age of Puritan destruction | We must protect our art that survived the age of Puritan destruction |
| (about 1 month later) | |
| When we think of iconoclasm today it is the fighters of Islamic State who come most readily to mind. We think of their assaults on the ancient city of Nimrud, tearing down temples and smashing the heads of magnificent Assyrian statues, taking a pneumatic drill to a winged bull at the gates of the ancient city of Nineveh. But Britain, too, once was home to iconoclasts, which is why our churches are less colourful and adorned than those in other parts of Europe, especially the flamboyant palaces of worship in Italy or France that we flock to on holiday. | When we think of iconoclasm today it is the fighters of Islamic State who come most readily to mind. We think of their assaults on the ancient city of Nimrud, tearing down temples and smashing the heads of magnificent Assyrian statues, taking a pneumatic drill to a winged bull at the gates of the ancient city of Nineveh. But Britain, too, once was home to iconoclasts, which is why our churches are less colourful and adorned than those in other parts of Europe, especially the flamboyant palaces of worship in Italy or France that we flock to on holiday. |
| In the middle ages, parish churches in England were a festival of colour. Their now bare walls and stripped woodwork were covered in painted images of saints and biblical stories. Some of this remarkable artwork was destroyed as the stuff of superstition by Protestant reformers in the 1530s and 1540s. A century later, during the civil war, it was the turn of iconoclasts, including the puritan soldier William Dowsing, who lived in Suffolk. | In the middle ages, parish churches in England were a festival of colour. Their now bare walls and stripped woodwork were covered in painted images of saints and biblical stories. Some of this remarkable artwork was destroyed as the stuff of superstition by Protestant reformers in the 1530s and 1540s. A century later, during the civil war, it was the turn of iconoclasts, including the puritan soldier William Dowsing, who lived in Suffolk. |
| In 1643, Parliament ordered the demolition of images and superstitious monuments in churches, together with “things illegal in the worship of God” that contravened the second commandment not to make any graven image. Dowsing visited about 250 churches in Cambridgeshire and Suffolk where he and his men smashed pictures, crosses, stained glass, altar rails and rood screens. His journal for Wenham Parva, dated 3 February, notes: “We brake down 26 superstitious pictures, and gave order to break down 6 more; and to levell the steps. One picture was of the Virgin Mary.” | In 1643, Parliament ordered the demolition of images and superstitious monuments in churches, together with “things illegal in the worship of God” that contravened the second commandment not to make any graven image. Dowsing visited about 250 churches in Cambridgeshire and Suffolk where he and his men smashed pictures, crosses, stained glass, altar rails and rood screens. His journal for Wenham Parva, dated 3 February, notes: “We brake down 26 superstitious pictures, and gave order to break down 6 more; and to levell the steps. One picture was of the Virgin Mary.” |
| This destruction is why it is so remarkable to find that there still exists a considerable number of amazing medieval panel paintings and rood screens. Were they in a celebrated place they would attract a long line of visitors but they are tucked away, off the beaten track, spread across many venues. This inattention is a major oversight, for they are glorious. | This destruction is why it is so remarkable to find that there still exists a considerable number of amazing medieval panel paintings and rood screens. Were they in a celebrated place they would attract a long line of visitors but they are tucked away, off the beaten track, spread across many venues. This inattention is a major oversight, for they are glorious. |
| The artefacts are evidence of our pre-Reformation past, parts of which were almost obliterated. We have a responsibility to history to research and preserve what is left: the carvings and paintings are a small and unique window on to our medieval past, about which we know too little. As they are matchless treasures on our doorstep, they must also be saved for art. Showing amusing details not only of golden angels but lions, fish, birds and grimacing beasts, some works appear to be painted by teams of specialist local tradesman; others are influenced by those further afield including German craftsman. | The artefacts are evidence of our pre-Reformation past, parts of which were almost obliterated. We have a responsibility to history to research and preserve what is left: the carvings and paintings are a small and unique window on to our medieval past, about which we know too little. As they are matchless treasures on our doorstep, they must also be saved for art. Showing amusing details not only of golden angels but lions, fish, birds and grimacing beasts, some works appear to be painted by teams of specialist local tradesman; others are influenced by those further afield including German craftsman. |
| This project deserves the funds it has applied for – and more. In the last few decades, funding has been secured for new buildings and for building new audiences; the long-distant past has been sidelined. We disregard our history at our peril. If these paintings and screens have survived the fury of Dowsing’s hammer, we should ensure they outlast our neglect. | This project deserves the funds it has applied for – and more. In the last few decades, funding has been secured for new buildings and for building new audiences; the long-distant past has been sidelined. We disregard our history at our peril. If these paintings and screens have survived the fury of Dowsing’s hammer, we should ensure they outlast our neglect. |
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