Studies in Late Medieval Wall Paintings, Manuscript Illuminations, and Texts

This book explores late medieval art and texts, focusing on wall paintings and their cultural significance, particularly in Coventry's Holy Trinity Church.

This volume presents an interdisciplinary exploration of late medieval art and texts, divided into two main sections. The first part focuses on the iconography and context of the remarkable Doom wall painting located over the tower arch at Holy Trinity Church in Coventry. This significant artwork serves as a window into the religious and cultural climate of the period, inviting readers to consider its historical importance and the messages it conveyed to the faithful during the late medieval era.

The second part delves into Carthusian studies, examining fragmentary wall paintings found in the Carthusian monastery near Coventry. These studies also explore the devotional images featured in the Carthusian Miscellany and the meditative practices aimed at “simple souls” as articulated by Nicholas Love in Love’s Mirror of the Blessed Life of Jesus Christ. Through these analyses, the book highlights the interplay between visual art and devotional literature, revealing how they informed and enriched the spiritual lives of their audiences.

Emphasizing themes such as memory, participative theology, and the construction of sacred imagery, Studies in Late Medieval Wall Paintings, Manuscript Illuminations, and Texts encourages readers to reflect on the techniques and practices that shaped the religious experience of the time. This comprehensive study not only enriches our understanding of late medieval art but also invites a deeper appreciation of the spiritual significance embedded in these works.