2010/09/01 by Matthew M. Reeve · 1 citation
Arts and Humanities · #Historical Architecture and Urbanism #Medieval Literature and History #Sculpture #Capital (architecture) #Architecture #Choir #Art #Visual arts #History
paper · doi:10.1179/174767010x12747977921047
openalex publication_date 2010/09/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29
This paper considers the sculpted capitals in Wells cathedral. Although integral to the early Gothic fabric, they have hitherto eluded close examination as either a component of the building or as an important cycle of ecclesiastical imagery in their own right. Consideration of the archaeological evidence suggests that the capitals were introduced mid-way through the building campaigns and were likely the products of the cathedral's masons rather than part of an original scheme for the cathedral as a whole. Possible sources for the images are considered. The distribution of the capitals in lay and clerical spaces of the cathedral leads to discussion of how the imagery might have been meaningful to different audiences on either side of the choir screen.