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FRIDAY, 23 SEPTEMBER 2022
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Welcome!
From The Very Revd Jonathan Greener, Dean of Exeter
It was never Cristi’s plan to become an icon painter. A professional footballer until his back packed up at the age of 18, his subsequent application to train as a social worker was twice rebuffed by the University of Iași (in northern Romania). Out of the blue a friend suggested he should apply to the School of Icon Painting – surely a word from the Lord, for while he’d never before painted an icon in his life, his first attempt won second prize in the annual competition. He’s been painting Orthodox icons ever since.
In 1998, Cristi came to spend three months in my Brighton vicarage, busily painting icons for local churches, and a number of commissions followed. A group of us from Brighton travelled to Iași for his wedding to Monica. When it came to our wedding, Cristi presented Pamela and me with an exquisite triptych – a copy of the so-called London Triptych by the 13th century Sienese painter Duccio di Buoninsegna. A fabulous gift, certainly the fruit of several weeks of intricate work, with the immaculate detailing of an icon painter’s brush, but without the formal mannerism of Byzantium. In the centre, Mary and baby Jesus. Though for the two side panels or shutters, Cristi went way off piste: in place of St Dominic and St Aurea as depicted on the original in the National Gallery, he chose instead for friendship’s sake to paint St Andrew and St George, the patron saints of Romania and England.
The arrival of this wedding gift was my first serious encounter with Duccio, overlooked as a Renaissance pioneer, they reckon, because in the eyes of the critics and commentators the painters from Siena always played second fiddle to those from Florence.
The other reason for Duccio’s relative neglect is that his greatest work was dismantled in the 18th century. His Maestà (‘Majesty’ in English) dates from almost exactly the same time as our Bishop’s throne. In just over two years, the artist had delivered the largest and most complex altarpiece probably ever produced in Italy: up to 80 separate painted panels – on the front Mary and various saints, and on the reverse 26 scenes of the passion, designed to sit right in front of the clergy stalls, for their contemplation and inspiration. Duccio’s creation was so prized by the city that when, on 9 June 1311, the five metre high artwork was transferred to Siena’s magnificent duomo, the shops were all closed and the citizens followed through the streets in solemn procession.
Two centuries later, the altarpiece was removed from the high altar; and in 1771 it was decided to separate the two faces of the work, in order to share the pieces between two separate altars. A partial restoration took place in 1956, and while most of what’s left now lives in the Cathedral Museum in Siena, several panels found their way to museums around the world, including three in the National Gallery.
All very interesting, you may be wondering, but what’s this got to do with Exeter Cathedral? Well here’s the exciting bit: next week here in the Cathedral we shall be exhibiting a reconstruction of the passion scenes from Duccio’s Maestà by Devon artist and historian Lesley Kerman. In 2016, Lesley embarked on a full-scale reconstruction of these 26 panels, starting with Christ’s entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday and running through to the Resurrection and beyond, and this huge set is coming to Exeter Cathedral. I haven’t yet seen Lesley’s work, but it was much admired when on display at Wells Cathedral last year, and I am greatly looking forward to its arrival here. But it’s certainly not just for the clergy’s contemplation and inspiration. Do please come and see it for yourselves: for most of us Exeter’s a much easier journey than Siena – though I’m not ruling out the possibility that this might in due course whet your appetite to go and see what remains of the real thing in Tuscany.
And finally… this coming week, on Thursday, The Revd James Grier will be consecrated as a Bishop at Westminster Abbey. James, who is to be the new Bishop of Plymouth, is currently Mission Enabler for the Diocese of Exeter and a Prebendary of our Cathedral. Please offer a prayer for him and his family as they prepare for this exciting and challenging move – I think we’d all agree that Bishops don’t have an easy time of it in the world today, and he’s going to need all the encouragement and prayer we can muster. He will be installed here at the Cathedral on Sunday 9 October.
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From the Library…
The Afterlife of Books
From the moment it is printed, sewed and bound, a book embarks on a journey. Although the final resting place of this book is at the Exeter Cathedral Library it looks as though it’s had a few bumps and knocks along the way. Did it fall into a fire by accident? Did someone deliberately set fire to it – and, if so, why? We will be telling stories from the Cathedral Library at our Annual Library Lecture on Thursday 29 September at 7pm. Every book has a story – a unique journey through time, passed from one owner to another and from place to place. While it is the fate of some books to remain unread and forgotten, others bear the marks of centuries of use and ownership. The clues to such stories can often be found in the books themselves, from accidental stains and spills to inscriptions, annotations and marginalia. All reveal the private lives of books. The books in the Cathedral Library tell a thousand years of stories. Some have travelled just a few miles while others have journeyed across the globe, including a 17th century manuscript of the Qur’an discovered on a battlefield in Madras by John Coleridge, a surgeon in the East India Company and relative of the English poet, Samuel Taylor Coleridge.
Discover more stories at the After Life of Books on Thursday 29 September.
Book your ticket on the Exeter Cathedral website.
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NEWS
Exeter Cathedral to Open Classical Music Festival
Exeter Cathedral is to host the opening performances of this year’s Two Moors Festival. The classical music festival, which runs from 5-16 October, begins at the cathedral before moving on through an eclectic mix of church, hall and barn venues across Dartmoor and Exmoor National Parks.
Read more >
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WHAT'S ON
SPAB Scholars Pay a Visit
Exeter Cathedral welcomed scholars from The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) this week. The architects and engineers have been learning about the building, its conservation, its many functions, and its relationship with the people of Devon and beyond.
Find out more about SPAB >
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WHAT'S ON
Autumn Fair
The Exeter Cathedral Autumn Fair will be showcasing the very best from a variety of local makers in the magnificent nave on Monday 3 and Tuesday 4 October. There will be an amazing line-up of over 50 local independent traders bringing you mouth-watering food and drink, handcrafted jewellery and clothing, stoneware, ceramics and much more. Enjoy free entry, live music and a complimentary glass of mulled wine.
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WHAT'S ON
Reconstructing Duccio
Lesley Kerman will be showing her reconstruction of the reverse of Duccio’s Maestá in Exeter Cathedral from Tuesday 27 September. The original painting was carried in a procession through the streets of Siena to the Cathedral at midday on the 9 June 1311. On the front of the altarpiece were painted the Virgin and Saints and on the reverse the twenty six Scenes of the Passion. Reconstructing Duccio is included in the Cathedral's standard admission price.
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WHAT'S ON
Student Open Evening
Studying in Exeter? Join us for a Student Open Evening at Exeter Cathedral on Tuesday 27 September. Enjoy a free guided tour, refreshments in the historic chapter house and an opportunity to meet fellow students.
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WHAT'S ON
Military Wives Choirs: 10th Anniversary Concert
Join the Military Wives Choirs tomorrow as they celebrate ten years in a spectacular nationwide 10th Anniversary Concert Series. Led by Hilary Davan Wetton, the concert features nearly 200 singers from the region’s local choirs, alongside an ensemble of live musicians led by Sean Hargreaves, and special guest artist, soprano Laura Wright.
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WHAT'S ON
Afterlife of Books
Every book has a story to tell beyond its text. From the moment it is printed, a book embarks on a unique journey through time, passed from one owner to another and from place to place. Join the Cathedral’s Librarian, Emma Laws, at our inaugural Annual Library Lecture to discover fascinating stories within the collections of the Cathedral Library, including a 13th century Psalter that continues to bless the soul of its scribe centuries after it was written.
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WHAT'S ON
Handel’s Messiah with the Exeter Cathedral Choir
On Sunday 4 December, the Exeter Cathedral Choir will be teaming up with early-music specialists Devon Baroque for a seasonal performance of Handel’s Messiah. Book before 31 October to receive a 10% discount.
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OPPORTUNITIES
We’re Hiring
We have lots of exciting opportunities available at Exeter Cathedral. We are seeking a HR & Volunteers Co-ordinator, Events Co-ordinator, Visitor Co-ordinator and Maintenance Assistant.
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REFLECTION
“May she be filled with abundant
grace and princely virtues”
By Canon Cate Edmonds
I think we were all moved by the state funeral of our late Queen Elizabeth II, and by the service of committal at St George’s Chapel. The most poignant of moments for me, and there were many I could recall, must have been the removal from her coffin of her insignia of office, her instruments of state. Read more >
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INFORMATION
Tune into our live streaming services
We are continuing our online worship, available both live and on-demand on our Facebook page.
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EXETER CATHEDRAL A-Z
G: Graffiti
Inscribed GRAFFITI including handprints and music on lead roofs, the outline of a shoe on a stone ledge, initials, names and dates in many locations – notably here on Bishop Stafford’s soft alabaster effigy.
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