Opus Anglicanum with particular reference to copes as liturgical show-pieces, ecclesiastical exemplars and Eucharistic exegetes
This thesis arose from a need for a re-evaluation of opus Anglicanum, a somewhat discounted art form which was nevertheless central to the cultural output of medieval England. It is concerned with looking closely at a couple of important aspects. First, the available evidence is considered, with a view to exploring whether long-held assumptions about the subject can actually be substantiated; second, a detailed study of iconography is made, in an attempt to find an explanation for particular choices. Among the extant English medieval ecclesiastical embroideries the great copes, covering the period from c1270 to c1330, offer the most fruitful opportunities for study. Thus, the focus is on these for general concerns and for more particular issues four ~narrative~ copes have been examined in detail. Early assessment of the gamut of imagery disclosed certain striking features--the individuality and doctrinal exactitude of the various iconographic programmes, the singular absence of some central theological themes and the ubiquitous nature of the angelic presence among the representations--which indicated lines of enquiry and determined the parameters of study. In the course of laying out the evidence such primary
Linnell, Christine
NK9310.L5 ; Embroidery--England
Opus Anglicanum with particular reference to copes as liturgical show-pieces, ecclesiastical exemplars and Eucharistic exegetes. This thesis arose from a need for a re-evaluation of opus Anglicanum, a somewhat discounted art form which was nevertheless central to the cultural output of medieval England. It is concerned with looking closely at a couple of important aspects. First, the available evidence is considered, with a view to exploring whether long-held assumptions about the subject can actually be substantiated; second, a detailed study of iconography is made, in an attempt to find an explanation for particular choices. Among the extant English medieval ecclesiastical embroideries the great copes, covering the period from c1270 to c1330, offer the most fruitful opportunities for study. Thus, the focus is on these for general concerns and for more particular issues four ~narrative~ copes have been examined in detail. Early assessment of the gamut of imagery disclosed certain striking features--the individuality and doctrinal exactitude of the various iconographic programmes, the singular absence of some central theological themes and the ubiquitous nature of the angelic presence among the representations--which indicated lines of enquiry and determined the parameters of study. In the course of laying out the evidence such primary
opus particular_reference cope liturgical show ecclesiastical exemplar eucharistic arose need re_evaluation opus somewhat discount art form nevertheless central cultural output medieval_england concerned look_closely couple important_aspect first available_evidence consider view explore_whether long_held assumption subject actually substantiate second detailed_study iconography make attempt explanation particular choice among extant english_medieval ecclesiastical great cope cover_period offer fruitful opportunity_study thus focus general concern particular issue narrative cope examine_detail early assessment imagery disclose certain striking feature individuality doctrinal various iconographic programme singular absence central theological theme ubiquitous nature angelic presence among representation indicate line_enquiry determine parameter study course lay evidence primary