Have you anything planned for the weekend? I'll be seeing the Degree Show at the Royal College of Art, and will catch up on a few spare-time projects. But nothing I do is anything like the spare-time project of Mrs. Mildred Holland, who, between 1859 and about 1865, painted the roof of the church where her husband was vicar. It is called St. Mary the Virgin, and it is in the tiny Suffolk village of Huntingfield.
With its saints, symbols, brilliant colours and lavish use of gold leaf, this hammer-beam roof is a triumph of Victorian art. It has been restored, so you receive the full High-Victorian effect as you walk through the door. Almost nobody knows about it, though.
It is so beautiful, I'm glad that it was restored. What a talented artist she was.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh! That is amazing art work. Thanks for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteshe must have had some good scaffolding or very long arms and a rubber neck!
ReplyDeleteYour post will make it less little known - now at least 50 more people know about it :-)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful indeed!
really stunning!
ReplyDeleteLooks like an interesting place to visit : )
ReplyDeleteGlad to know this beautiful roof painting was restored. Our posts seem to contribute to let almost unknown things more known. Probably Nara bloggers have made Nara more familiar to readers and you, Genny. Right?
ReplyDeleteThe angels have each valuable thing, it seems.
ReplyDeleteIt's good to travel the district where there is little known treasure like this ceiling.
Those Victorians...wow.
ReplyDeleteThanks for showing us, I don't think I would ever of heard of it.
Kay
Wow your header is just amazing! Thanks for visiting my blog. You're welcome back any time. I love new people. You've got a great one.
ReplyDeletevery colorful!
ReplyDeleteMildred Holland was a very talented artist by the look of her work Jenny, makes you wonder how many other treasures like this are hidden away from the public eye. Thanks for the visit to my part of the world, I think the materials (non toxic)for the inside decor and the air filtering systems plus positioning to utilize natural light etc. are some of the factors that contributed to the high 'Green' award rating this building attained. It really is a fab building.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing. It is indeed such astonishing work. Glad to know it is restored. :)
ReplyDelete@Isabel, I believe she painted some of it while lying on her back on scaffolding. I assume this was the period during which the church was closed for renovation between 1859-60. @stardust, yes, I know more about Nara now, when I visit Japan I want to visit there. @Perthdailyphoto, I wish there were more buildings created on green principles here
ReplyDeleteBeautiful colours and interesting artwork.Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your week!
Ruby
What a wonderful achievement. I do hope she had the full support of the clergy and the parish!
ReplyDeleteThank you for showing this fascinating building.
What an amazing feat, especially considering it was a woman who did the work during that era. This heavenly little gem is perhaps best appreciated quietly rather than viewed by hordes of tourists. The little town sounds charming.
ReplyDeleteWow.
ReplyDeleteFascinating! There is a small church in the north of the province I live in that was decorated in a very colourful, naive style by one of the priests many years ago. It hosts an international Baroque music festival every summer now. Thank goodness gems like these are preserved rather than modernized (ie. made the same as every other church).
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful roof painting - the colours are amazing - I'd love to see it:)
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