A major new grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund will enable St Mary DeCrypt in central Gloucester to conserve and explore internationally significant artwork painted on its medieval walls.
Hellen O’Connor, the Operations Manager at Discover Decrypt noticed the rare and historically significant artwork six years ago and started exploring its origins.
The paintings use extravagantly expensive materials, from lapis lazuli imported from Afghanistan to pure gold. Hellen said, “One fragment of painting is done in a continental style, not usually seen in the UK. The work is of the highest quality and uses the most expensive materials. The style is like that seen in Italy, Belgium and Holland, indicating that the painter was a skilled professional, who was wealthy and well-travelled.”
Hellen speculated that it could have been painted as a tribute to Henry VIII as he processed around the country with his new wife Anne Bolyn.
“The piece of art known as ‘The Adoration’ can be dated by the costumes worn in the painting to approximately 1530. In 1535 the King and his new wife were known to have come to Gloucester on their tour of England, passing the building.”
“My hope for this project is to see these paintings more widely known nationally and internationally as the treasures that they are, and to discover more about them.”
The Heritage Fund has now awarded a further £892,375 to complete the project, enabling DeCrypt to remove, clean and stabilise its stained-glass windows, conserve the wall paintings and importantly, use modern analysis to uncover how and why they were created and what they may once have looked like. The work will bring this historic treasure to life for generations of visitors.
Stuart McLeod, Director of England – London and South at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “St Mary DeCrypt is a remarkable place, where centuries of history are woven into the fabric of the building. Thanks to National Lottery players, Discover DeCrypt will help uncover,
conserve and share this nationally significant collection of Tudor wall paintings and historic stained glass, ensuring these extraordinary treasures can be better understood and enjoyed by future generations. This project perfectly demonstrates how heritage can connect people with the stories of their past, inspire pride in place and bring communities together.”
When the project is completed, in October 2028, visitors will be able to read about the artwork, touch replicas of the stone carvings, hear audible guides to the space and be immersed in the history of this ancient building.
Hellen said, “There’s something special about this space – the depth of history is amazing. 2000 years of religion have dwelt on this spot, from the Temple of Jupiter built beneath the current building, to the modern spiritual and educational hub we welcome visitors to today. We’re so grateful to the Heritage Fund for the support and funding that will make this possible.”
The conservation and interpretation of artwork and windows in Discover DeCrypt is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we will be able to bring the history of this remarkable building to life for future visitors. The whole project will cost £1,136,975 but DeCrypt has raised £145,000 and will also donate a significant amount of volunteering time towards the project’s completion.
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