The Capital Sculpture of Wells Cathedral

Masons, Patrons and the Margins of English Gothic Architecture

Bibliographic Data

ID19344167
AuthorsMatthew M Reeve (0000-0003-2811-0730, corresponding author)
Year2010
Volume163
Issue1
Pages72-109
Publication date2010-09-01
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of the British Archaeological Association (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0068-1288 • E-ISSN: 1747-6704
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1179/174767010x12747977921047
OpenAlexW2005519887
LanguageEN
References cited32

This paper considers the sculpted capitals in Wells cathedral. Although integral to the early Gothic fabric, they have hitherto eluded close examination as either a component of the building or as an important cycle of ecclesiastical imagery in their own right. Consideration of the archaeological evidence suggests that the capitals were introduced mid-way through the building campaigns and were likely the products of the cathedral's masons rather than part of an original scheme for the cathedral as a whole. Possible sources for the images are considered. The distribution of the capitals in lay and clerical spaces of the cathedral leads to discussion of how the imagery might have been meaningful to different audiences on either side of the choir screen

Art · Capital (architecture) · Choir · Sculpture · Visual arts · Architecture · Historical Architecture and Urbanism · History · Medieval Literature and History

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