Mid C15th (1466) wall paintings of St Christopher carrying the Infant Christ & a Sabbath Christ in the N aisle of Breage Church, Cornwall, England, UK
Mid C15th (c 1466) wall paintings of St Christopher & a Sabbath Christ in the N aisle of Breage Church, Cornwall, England, UK. West of the N door a giant, bearded Christopher carries the Christ Child across a river, holding on to his staff with both hands. Fish swim around his feet & beside his R leg a mermaid gazes at her reflection in a mirror. There is a hermit to his R in a clinker built sailing ship. Images of Christopher opposite the main S porch & door of a church were belived to give protection against sudden unexpected death that day, protect travellers & have powers against the bubonic plague. East of the door is a figure of Christus dolens, the Suffering Christ or Man of Sorrows. He wears a loincloth, a crown, long black hair & a beard. Blood issues from the wounds of his Crucifixion (Passion) & from new wounds inflicted by some of the surrounding working tools & symbols of gambling (playing cards), drinking & music. This is a Sunday Christ, a Warning to the Sabbath Breakers who re-crucify Christ by working or playing on a Sunday or other Days of Obligation: they injure Christ and incur their own damnation. These images were very popular in the years following the Black Death of the mid C14th. Despite the bleeding wounds & obvious suffering the Victorians re-interpreted these warnings as Christ of the Trades blessing tools. The murals had been painted over with whitewash & were re-discovered during renovations in 1891.
Size: 2656px × 3780px
Location: St Breaca's Church, Breage, Helston, Cornwall, England, UK
Photo credit: © Mick Sharp / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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