Medieval fresco in the Guild Chapel, Stratford-upon-Avon

Description

Print of medieval fresco painting; painting on the West face of the wall dividing the nave from the chancel representing the Doom in the Guild Chapel; from the drawings of Thomas Fisher. This was painted on the Western wall of the chapel, on the chancel arch, so that it would be faced by the congregation as they worshipped. The depiction is that of Judgement Day. The painting is typical of many others of its type. Christ is in the centre with the Virgin Mary is on his left and John the Apostle is on the right. He has his right hand raised toward St Peter receiving the righteous into heaven who are on the left of the painting – at the right hand of Christ. Heaven is depicted as a castle, with impregnable walls to keep out the unrighteous and St Peter waits with his keys. Less common to many other ‘Doom’ paintings is the presentation here of this building as being multi-storey, with many apartments. Christ’s left hand is lowered indicating the sinners descending into hell. The sinful can be seen entering via a hell mouth, quite literally the parted jaws of an animal with sharp teeth. From the graves can be seen emerging a Pope and others in red episcopal headgear. All of those approaching heaven have their hands raised in wonder. Hell itself is shown to have clear boundaries with the damned encircled in a chain and being ushered through the hell mouth. The figure below holding a staff might possibly a depiction of the devil himself. The image of such a figure carrying a staff suggests someone patrolling the boundaries of his kingdom. Whoever it is, is performing his duties of dragging someone into hell who is unwilling to go.