This story of the rare and beautiful Quentin Metsys portrait of Christ found in a Wiltshire church is amazing. It's doubly amazing because this is the second time a rare masterpiece has been found in the same Wiltshire town.The painting was found in Holy Trinity Church Bradford on Avon in Wiltshire. The first amazing discovery is right across the street from Holy Trinity. It is the beautiful Saxon church of St Laurence. It was discovered by an antiquarian in the nineteenth century. He noticed some unusual arches on a village house underneath some additions and later facades. At the core of the house was an unspoiled Saxon church which has since been carefully and beautifully restored.
We lived in Chippenham--just about a ten minute drive from Bradford an Avon, and I used to pass through the town frequently on my way to and from Downside Abbey. I usually stopped to pray in St Laurence and when we had friends visiting we would always take them to the little Saxon church and then walk through Holy Trinity as well.
I must have walked past the hidden Metsys masterpiece in Holy Trinity dozens of times.
4 comments:
The Northern Renaissance strikes again.
Ruth and I visited this little Church and loved it. One must wonder what other masterpieces lurk unhidden in the neighborhood? BTW, do you see the resemblance in this picture of Christ to the more ancient icons of our Lord? I think that is striking and very suggestive as well.
Oh my, that's amazing.
That's what I lovwe about England: history is literally everywhere. Like the church of St. Laurence, it is part of the landscape.
Those who are just dying to know about the substantial Flemish presence in England may enjoy this article:
http://www.brusselsjournal.com/node/4343
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