Today is the feast of St John the Apostle, seen here with eagle and palm in the silver seal matrix of #ClareCollege (the half-figure is 8mm high), & in the sumptuous Breviary of Marie de St Pol, best friend of the #LadyOfClare. 🧵 1/3
Until this year, the only published photo was so fuzzy that there were debates as to whether there was a bird, and interpretation of the palm. Even with the RTI image, discussion continues. Falconer friends think this most resembles a #GoldenEagle, scaled to speak comfortably to St John, while… standing on his fist? as raptors usually do… or on his open palm? as a trusted messenger of God? 🧵 2/3 #StJohn#theology#interpretation#StoneCarving#illustration
A joy to be at Clare College to unveil the stone sculpture of the 1359 seal - greatly enlarged for visibility! Wonderful workmanship by Cardozo Kindersley Workshop, http://kindersleyworkshop.co.uk
The seal, first used in 1359, is "an extraordinary depiction of female vision, & female faith in the importance of education, & a woman's power & ability to accomplish that vision... We have one of the world's greatest stonecutters a mile up the road, who also happens to be a woman."
Informative & entertaining talks by Jackie Tasioulas, & Lida & Roxanne Kindersley, preceded the unveiling of the sculpture, & are online at https://stories.clare.cam.ac.uk/unveiling-of-lady-clares-seal/ #LadyOfClare#StoneCarving#ClareCollege
In 2020 we published a 2nd edition of the definitive biography of the #LadyOfClare - & then we learned more about the evolution of her heraldic & visual identity. New insights came from archaeology, from archives, & from drawing & carving which brought details from hands to eyes. Two books now available at #ClareCollege: booksites https://barnes1.net/FHGE/ & https://barnes1.net/seal/