Public Statements and Private Lives:
British
Church
Monuments
through the Ages
Lecturer: Jane Kelsall
Public Statements and Private Lives chronicles the
history of British church monuments. I love sculpture and in the
British Isles our church monuments are the best examples of
British sculpture. I talk about the reason for monuments being
constructed, and how religious belief changed what was fashionable.
As most monuments were constructed during the lifetime of the occupant,
we are looking at how that person wanted to be remembered. This
was often as an angelic person. In fact, the person was sometimes
a complete bounder, which is fun to talk about. But I do make a
careful chronicle of the historical changes, and the symbolism of death.
The most important fact about this talk is that it is not depressing.
I promise that people will go home feeling entertained, as well as
having learned things.
