File:The grotesque in church art (1899) (14594941470).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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been imported ready made fromFlanders, and on which dragons aresometimes the ornament. The Foxon this slab is the earliest sculpturedfigure of the animal known in England. There are also hunting scenes inwhich the fox is shot with bow andarrow, as in Beverley Minster; orchased with hounds in a way morecommending itself to modern sportingideas, as at Ripon. In conclusion, the satirical intentof the fox inventions, as we find themin the library or in the church, maybe summed up, for here indeed liesthe whole secret of their prevalenceand popularity. The section of societysatirized by the epic is large, but isprincipally covered by the feudal in-stitution. The notes struck are itsgreed of wealth and its greed of thetable, its injustice under the pretext oflaws, its expedient lying, the immunity from punishmentafforded by riches, the absolute yet revolution-fearing powerof the sovereign, the helplessness of nobles single-handed,and the general influence of religion thrown over everything,
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COFFIN LID, BRIDLINGTON,YORKSHIRE. 212 THE GROTESQUE IN CHURCH ART. while for its own sake being allowed to really influencenothing. The chief point of the epic is generally considered to bethat power in the hands of the feudal barons was accompaniedby a trivial amount of intelligence, which was easily deceivedby the more astute element of society. The carvings give nonote of this. A further object, however, may be seen. Thewhole story of the Fox is meant not only to shew that It is not strength that always wins,For wit doth strength excel, by playing on the passions and weaknesses of mankind, butin particular to hold up to scorn the immunity procured byprofessional religion, though it is fair to note that the Foxdoes not adopt a religious life because suited to his treacherousand deceitful character, but to conceal it. Thus so far as theyelucidate the general foxiness of religious hypocrisy, thecarvings and the epic illustrate the same theme, but it isevident that they embodied and d

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