A Glimpse Inside St. Faith's, a photo from Norfolk, England

Photographer's Note

Good Morning Everyone,

Yesterday, I showed you the exterior of St. Faith's church, a Medieval church which is now abandoned but preserved for posterity by the Churches Conservation Trust.

I promised to show you the interior, today.

Don't expect to see anything as grand as Egyptian paintings because these paintings have been covered by whitewash during the Reformation and then the Civil War, so much of their detail and colours have been dulled or almost disappeared. But, they are remarkable survivors in this ancient setting.

From the Internet - The church was locked up and all but forgotten until art historian Eve Baker, intrigued by the forgotten wreck, climbed through the window and was astounded at what she saw. While she wasn’t met with the gold and opulence of long-hidden temples and Egyptian tombs, she rediscovered an important example of ecclesiastical artwork. All interior walls of St Faiths were covered in partially-obscured but medieval wall paintings.

However, stories and likenesses are all still visible throughout the building, rendered in red ochre.
Within the arcades sit depictions of the four Evangelists (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) and the upper part of the south wall depicts the apostles gathered around Christ. Beneath this is a series of images depicting the Passion of Christ, framed with vines, whilst on another wall is St. George slaying the dragon.

But why were church walls painted at all? It’s mainly a matter of literacy. A medieval congregation would be familiar with the contents of the bible, but unable to read the words themselves. Literacy had no place in the lower classes. Subsequently, in painting church interiors with vivid reminders of saints, parables and the consequences of pious and sinful acts, parishioners would be surrounded by stories and reminders of their faith.

I chose this photograph as the main post because it gives a good focal image, that of the font, standing proudly in the near bare interior.

My workshops will give more details of the Medieval wall paintings.

I hope you enjoyed this trek into Medieval history, Bev :-)

Fis2, holmertz, pierrefonds, ikeharel, jhm, jean113, COSTANTINO, papagolf21, PaulVDV trouve(nt) cette note utile

Critiques | Translate

Fis2 (155625) 2020-09-11 2:22

Witaj Bev!
Curious interior.
Very interesting baptismal font, I like it.
Good POV and colors.
Well done.
Good day.
Krzysztof

Silvio1953 (205719) 2020-09-11 2:23

Ciao cara Bev, great view of well decorated glympse, fine dretails, excellent clarity, splendid light and wonderful colors, very well done, my friend, have a good weekend, ciao Silvio

holmertz (92852) 2020-09-11 2:54

Hello Bev,
I love this kind of medieval interiors with such simple details, very modestly decorated, and I wouldn't feel sorry that the paintings are faded and partly almost lost. Such natural deterioration would serve to accentuate their age and make a visit just as exciting as if they had been fresh and clear. (But I also loved the bright and well kept paintings in Egyptian graves.)
Having seen the exterior of this church and its surroundings I am glad you also brought us inside and told us the amazing story of Eve Baker.
Kind regards,
Gert

Tue (82232) 2020-09-11 2:56

Hello Beverley,
A great impression of the interior of the church, I like the soft light here, and you handled the exposure well, which resulted in pleasant, warm colours. The composition is excellent and you placed the font very well in the foreground.
Lars

lousat (129957) 2020-09-11 4:20

Hi Bev,it is really a pity that this jewel is reduced to this state, but also in Italy how many thousands of churches have been completely abandoned to their fate. Your post is very interesting, I was expecting to see the interior of the church after your post yesterday. Something can still be seen on the ruined walls, the details perfectly show even the peeling wood of the ceiling. Have a nice weekend and thanks,Luciano

pierrefonds (103537) 2020-09-11 5:22

Hi Bev,

The tight frame is putting the subject in evidence. The point of view is showing the details of the baptismal vase or urn. The light is giving nice tints to the colours. Have a nice day.

Pierre

ikeharel (105901) 2020-09-11 5:32

Hope someone would take the initiative to renovate and care for this ancient edifice, and restore as much possible, this big hall, Beverley.
It looks as it was an attractive masson'e work back in time with decorative pillars and such a big water-font. Chosen well the main picture.
Good afternoon,
Ike

jhm (203003) 2020-09-11 6:30

Hello Bev,

I like the white stone baptistry.
You took a nice picture and very detailed.
The lighting of this interior makes your picture attractive.
Wall Painting are not perfect to see, only in your additional picture
Nice composition, soft of colours too.
Very well done, TFS.

Kindest regards,
John

foxy (2059) 2020-09-11 6:44

Hello Bev,
Of course , you did. That's why I've faith in you.
Of course, I do not expect to see Paul's kitschy tigers either.
But what I do see is a beautiful shape of the font as f/g well preserved as to all the bare interior even the stones on the floor.
For me, again has to be WS1. As I said earlier, how I love the windows. Its look even more fascinating under the archway by the natural light. It gives a sense of submission of faith. I also find the red ochre paintings interesting even it's partially-obscured making it even more interesting the meaning of it.
Thanks for sharing the interior.
Loong
p/s: too bad that there is no holy-water in the font. Otherwise I could use it for venturing out at night in Whitby.

pajaran (102632) 2020-09-11 10:24

Greeting.
Beautiful interior of the Church, well shown with beautiful colors, contrast and good text.
Good work with beautiful photographers in the workshop, beautiful details in the Church.
I wish you all the best.
Paja.

jmdias (102900) 2020-09-11 11:53

bev

a nice interior view and nice WS too. I liked the shapes of the baptismal piece and the mural should be very beautiful. it would be nice if they got to recreate them in the same walls and at same time to preserve the original remains. here we can see what UK lost in terms of art in those turbulent days.

take care

jorge

jean113 (22047) 2020-09-11 14:41

Hello Beverley, a good choice for the main post, as you say the font makes a good focal point with the pillars and the empty space in the background.
It must have been exciting for Eve Baker to discover what she did. And thank goodness that she did.
It makes me wonder why the paintings would have been covered with paint.
Thank you for the informative notes.
Kind regards, Jean.

COSTANTINO (104159) 2020-09-11 22:54

Hello dear friend and have a nice day
I red carefully your useful notes
and i felt sad because these paintings
have been covered by whitewash during
the reformation and then the Civil War...
what a pity...
regards
Costantino

papagolf21 (152599) 2020-09-11 23:07

Bonjour, chère Bev,
L'édifice religieux est aussi beau à l'intérieur qu'à l'extérieur.
De plus, la note d'accompagnement est remarquable.
Un grand merci pour les photographies présentées en annexe.
Amitiés.
Philippe

jemaflor (135424) 2020-09-11 23:25

Hi Bev,
good photo result with the wide angle,perfect to present this church interior with this focus, perfect exposure management, tfs.

emka (152194) 2020-09-12 0:19

hello Bev, Charming view of the interior of this old church. I like the view of the baptustery font and the columns, they look very old indeed. Lovely composition.
have a nice weekend

MAlgo

PaulVDV (54853) 2020-09-12 11:41

Hello Beverley,
On the three pictures and especially on those in the WS we can see how the walls are entirely covered with paintings.
It's indeed not easy to interpret them. Nor will it ever be easy to restore them.
I can imagine the astonishment of the historian when she entered the interior space.
Clear pictures made thanks to your very good light management.
Best regards, Paul

ifege (32239) 2020-09-12 21:37

Hi Bev
Ancient church, ancient font, good text and good photos.
cheers
Ian