Description
Begun in 1863, St. Fin Barre's Cathedral was the first major work of the Victorian architect William Burges, who also designed the stained glass, the sculptures, the mosaics, the furniture and metal work for the interior. The foundation stone was laid in 1865 and the building was consecrated in 1870.
Many of the sculptures were carved on site by C.W. Harrison of Dublin. At the exterior of the cathedral are found 61 sculptures: 20 statues or statue groups, 7 reliefs and 34 small archivolt reliefs.
Tympans of the three portals
- (north) Expulsion from Paradise(and other scenes)
- (central) The Last Judgment, the dead are seen rising from their graves, some being welcomed into heaven and others being turned away.
- (south) Abraham sacrificing Isaac (and other scenes)
(click on the photo for an enlargement in a separate window.)
Statues at the three portals
Central portal:
- The Wise Virgins
- The Bridegroom
- The Foolish Virgins
(click on the photo for an enlargement in a separate window.)
The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins, is one of the well known parables of Jesus. According to the Gospel of Matthew 25:1-13, the five virgins who are prepared for the bridegroom's arrival are rewarded, while the five who are not prepared are disowned. The parable has a clear eschatological theme: be prepared for the Day of Judgment, which is shown in the tympanum above.
North & south portal:
The twelve apostles, John the Baptist and the four Evangelists
North:
(click on the photo for an enlargement in a separate window.)
- St. Philip
one of the Twelve Apostles. He is protector of trinket merchants. He is depicted holding a cross in his left hand as a symbol of the way in which he died, and a book in his right hand as an emblem of dying for the Word of God
(Wikipedia).
- St. Bartholomew
the Apostle, one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ. Protector of shepherds and winegrowers. His attribute is a knife, which signifies the way in which he died
(Wikipedia).
- St. Simon the Zealot
or Simon Zelotes, one of the most obscure among the apostles of Jesus. He is depicted with a saw
(Wikipedia).
- St. John the Baptist
(c. 6 BC- c. 36 AD),
itinerant preacher and a major religious figure who led a movement of baptism at the Jordan River. He baptized Jesus at "Bethany beyond the Jordan."
(Wikipedia).
- St. Andrew
apostle and the brother of Saint Peter; founder and the first bishop of the Church of Byzantium. Protector of fishermen, in particular. He is shown with a saltire cross, in accordance with the way in which he died
(Wikipedia).
- St. James the Greater
(d. 44), one of the Twelve Apostles. Patron saint of pilgrims, soldiers and cavalrymen. Depicted holding a pilgrim's staff decorated with a scallop shell. His remains are in Santiago de Compostela in Galicia (Spain)
(Wikipedia).
- St. Thomas
one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ. Patron saint of architects, builders and land surveyors, usually holding a right-angle
(Wikipedia).
- St. Matthias
the apostle chosen by the remaining eleven apostles to replace Judas Iscariot. Protector of carpenters, butchers and smiths. His attribute is a halberd, signifying the way in which he died
(Wikipedia).
South
(click on the photo for an enlargement in a separate window.)
- St. Mark
one the four Evangelists. His attribute is a lion
(Wikipedia).
- St. Matthew
one of the twelve Apostles of Jesus and one of the four Evangelists. His attribute is an angel. As patron saint of book-keepers, tax collectors and security forces, he is also depicted with writing utensils
(Wikipedia).
- St. Jude Thaddaeus
one of the Twelve Apostles (clearly distinguished from Judas Iscariot, the betrayer of Jesus)
(Wikipedia).
- St. Peter
(possibly died AD 67), apostle, first pope; patron saint of locksmiths and confessors. Usually holding the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven in his hand
(Wikipedia)
- St. Paul
the Apostle, (c. 5 - c. 67 ), persecuted the early followers of Jesus before switching sides and seeking to join them. He was instrumental in creating the Christian Church. He is the protector of tent-makers, theologians and the ecclesiastical press and is depicted with a sword.
(Wikipedia).
- St. James the Lesser
one of the Twelve Apostles. Depicted with a club, since he is said to have been clubbed to death
(Wikipedia).
- St. John the Evangelist
conventional name for the author of the Gospel of John - considered to be the same person as John the Apostle
(Wikipedia).
- St. Luke
one of the four Evangelists. His attribute is an ox or bull, usually having wings
(Wikipedia).
Pointed Archivolts of the three portals
Male and female occupations and professions
North portal: Male occupations
(click on the photo for an enlargement in a separate window.)
left:
23. Groundworker
or Planter
|
24. Mason
|
25. Sower
|
26. Harvester
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27. Thresher
|
right:
28. Basket maker
|
29. Blacksmith
|
30. Cooper
|
31. Wheel maker
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32. Shepherd
|
Central portal: Male professions
(click on the photo for an enlargement in a separate window.)
left:
33. Knight
|
34. Organist
|
35. Painter
|
36. Sculptor
|
37. Alchemist ?
|
38. Bishop
|
39. King
|
right:
40. Navigator
|
41. Astrologist
|
42. Musician
|
43. Writer
|
44. Architect
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45. ??
|
46. ??
|
South portal: Female occupations
(click on the photo for an enlargement in a separate window.)
left:
47. Female pigs
guardian
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48. Milkmaid
|
49. Scrubbing
woman
|
50. Seamstress
|
51. Spinster
|
right:
52. Mother
|
53. Teacher
|
54. Cook
|
55. ??
|
56. Nurse
|
Other statues and reliefs
(click on the photo for an enlargement in a separate window.)
57
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58
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- Gable of central portal: Three angels.
- Around the rose window: the emblems of the four evangelists Matthew (angel), Mark (lion), Luke (bull) and John (eagle).
The four Evangelists are Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Their versions of the life of Jesus - the Gospel - are included in the New Testament. In art, they are depicted with their symbols: Eagle (John), Lion (Mark), Bull (Luke) and Angel (Matthew) or just with these symbols in the so-called tetramorphe.
(click on the photo for an enlargement in a separate window.)
- Apex of west front: Angel with book of sacred scripture
- Tympanum of north transept entrance: An angel measuring the temple of the heavenly Jerusalem accompanied by St. John the Evangelist. The sculpture was inspired by a passage in the twenty-first chapter of the Book of Revelation.. The angel is holding a measuring stick which was the main form of measuring at the time of construction
- Roof top of choir: Resurrection angel with two flutes. This statue is architect Burges's gift to the cathedral.
(click on the photo for an enlargement in a separate window.)
Sculptor
- Charles W. Harrison & Sons, Dublin,
Art workers in stone, marble and wood, active 1860-1972(Irish Architects).
Sources & Information
Tags
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Cleaning woman
Cook (profession)
Cooper (profession)
Dorser
Eagle
Evangelists (Four)
Expulsion from Paradise
Façade with statues (church)
Farmer
Harrison & Sons, C.W.
Harvester
Isaac
James the Greater, St.
James the Minor, St.
John the Baptist, St.
Jude the Apostle, St.
|
Knight
Last Judgement
Mason
Matthias, St.
Milkmaid
Monarch
Mother
Musician
Navigator
Nurse
Organist
Painter
Paul, St.
Peter, St.
Philip, St.
Portal
|
Sculptor
Seamstress
Shepherd
Simon the Zealot, St.
Smith
Sower
Spinner
Swineherd
Teacher
Thomas, St.
Tympanum
Virgins (wise and foolish)
Wheel maker
Woman with child
Writer (occupation)
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Locatie (N 51°53'39" - W 8°28'51") (Satellite view: Google Maps)
Item Code: ie156; Photograph: 15 June 2014
Of each statue we made photos from various angles and also detail photos of the various texts.
If you want to use photos, please contact us via the contact form (in Dutch, English or German).
© Website and photos: René & Peter van der Krogt
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