Decorating the godly household
Subtitle: religious art in Protestant Britain, c.1560-c.1660
By: Tara Hamling
Publisher: Yale University Press
Published: 2010
Place of publication: New Haven
Language: eng
Number of pages: 348
ISBN-13: 9780300162820
Description: Tara Hamling examines decorative features from historic houses throughout England and Scotland and identifies a significant but overlooked trend in the history of British art. She reveals a widespread fashion for large-scale religious imagery in houses owned by the gentry and prosperous middle classes during the period 1560-1660 which is interpreted in relation to life in the 'godly' household. The book is copiously illustrated with narrative imagery in wall painting, plasterwork, carved wood and stone and a range of objects including furniture, textiles and ceramics. The character of this 'decorative' art is explored in relation to the functions of rooms in the early modern domestic interior with a focus on how religious imagery might inform and support spiritual activities taking place within the home. The visual evidence throughout the book is supported by extracts from contemporary texts to elucidate the meanings of imagery for its original audience.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p.         ) and index.
Table of contents: title: Religious imagery in Britain, c.1400-c.1660; title: Building 'gorgeous' but godly houses; title: The spiritualisation of the household; title: Decorating the Protestant household; title: Images for meditation; title: The presence of religious imagery in the godly household; title: Conclusion: last judgements.