File:The grotesque in church art (1899) (14594792298).jpg

Identifier: grotesqueinchurc00wild (find matches)
Title: The grotesque in church art
Year: 1899 (1890s)
Authors: Wildridge, Thomas Tindall
Subjects: Grotesque Christian art and symbolism Church decoration and ornament
Publisher: London, W. Andrews & co.
Contributing Library: PIMS - University of Toronto
Digitizing Sponsor: University of Toronto

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ed but sixverses, in which Hell is styled the cindery cell. TheChester play is much longer, and is drawn from theApocryphal Gospel of Nicodemus. This gospel, whichhas a version in Anglo-Saxon of A.D. 950, is no doubtthe source from which is derived a prevalent form of HellsMouth in which Christ is represented holding the handof one of the persons engulped in the infernal jaws. This isseen in a carving on the east window of Dorchester Abbey. The Mouth is here scarcely that of a dragon, but that ofan exceedingly well-studied serpent ; for intent and powerfulmalignity the expression of this fine stone carving would bedifficult to surpass. The Descent into Hell is one of a series,on the same window, of incidents in the life of Christ ; all areexceedingly quaint, but their distance from the ground HELLS MOUTH. 61 improves them in a more than ordinary degree, and theirearnest intention prevails over their accidental grotesqueness.The beautiful curves in this viperous head are well worthy of
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lltl.I. s MOUTH, DORCHhSTEK, OXON. notice in connection with the remarks upon the artisticqualities of Gothic grotesques. The verse of the Gospel (xix., 12), explains who the personis. And (the Lord) taking hold of Adam by his right hand 62 THE GROTESQUE IN CHURCH ART. he ascended from hell and all the saints of God followedhim. The female figure is of course Eve, who is shewnwith Adam in engravings of the subject by Albert Durer(1512, etc.,) and others. The vision of Piers Ploughman(circa 1362), has particular mention of Adam and Eveamong Satans captive colony. Satan, on hearing the orderof a voice to open the gates of Hell, exclaims :— Yf he reve me of my ryght he robbeth me by mastrie,For by ryght and reson the reukes (rooks) that be on hereBody and soul beth myne both good and illeFor he hyms-self hit seide that Syre is of Helle,That Adam and Eve and al hus issue Sholden deye with deol (should die with grief) and here dwell evereYf thei touchede a tree othr toke ther of an appel

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