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Saint
Francis of Assisi
WESTMINSTER
CATHEDRAL |
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The new mosaic of Saint Francis of Assisi was installed in a niche inside
the entrance of Westminster Cathedral in October 2008. It is the first
part of a memorial to Francis and Anthony Bartlett donated by the Bartlett
family and friends. A companion piece showing Saint Anthony is planned
for the apse on the other side of the main entrance.
 
The original design is by Leonard McComb RA, and is inspired by Saint
Francis’s famous connection with the natural world and in particular
with birds. The design is also about light, and the palette used is generally
very pale, with a very controlled use of dark and bright accents and details.
The mosaic was made by Tessa Hunkin and a team of skilled assistants at
Mosaic Workshop led by Miranda Symington. Leonard McComb provided a full
size cartoon but the design had to be adapted to fit onto the curved surface.
It was made using the indirect method which required very careful shaping
of all the sections to allow for the compression of the design when fixed
to the semi-dome.
The
original design was also extremely detailed, often showing the individual
feathers with photographic accuracy. The creation of the mosaic required
a lot of interpretation to maintain the important details while still
producing a piece that is elegant and not over fussy. Planning the work
started in January 2008 and the making of the mosaic took the team four
months.
The mosaic was fixed by the master mosaic fixer, Walter Bernadin, over
a period of three days, and all the sections fitted together quite neatly.
The final section to be fixed was the top left-hand dove and it was a
very difficult working overhead but in the end it was successfully manoevered
into place. Walter used all his skill to ensure that the joints closed
up perfectly and the final effect is seamless.
The birds all represent specific species, some familiar and some more
exotic, and not always to scale.
LEFT SIDE Hoopoe, White Wagtail, Canada Geese, Collar
Doves ,White Storks, Long tailed Tits, Song Thrush, Citrine Wagtails,
Great Grey Shrike,
Rock Partridges Rose, Eurasian Sparrowhawk ,Grey Heron ,Snowy Owl,Red-breasted,
Merganser Blue Tits and White Dove,
RIGHT
SIDE Bee eaters, Collar Doves,Cuckoo, Kingfishers, European
Rollers, Robin, Tawny Owl, Black headed gulls, Coloured Starlings,
Haw finches and Scaup Ducks.
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