St Margret of Antioch, Hemmingford Abbots

St Christopher Mural by Brian Thomas at the Church of St Margret's of Anitoch Hemmingford Abbots

The following slides give an insight into the restoration of St Christopher Mural by Brian Thomas.

When looking at the painting at first I could see it was not complete in that the stretcher had not yet been supplied. It was exhibited in the church as a wall hanging.

Brian Thomas had produced working of this tall scale for St Paul's cathedral London. This mural was commissioned by Shelia Day and her sister in memory of their farther George Lewis Day.

In St Margret's it was found that the painting was too large for the intended wall of display. This is confirmed by the removal of some of the boarder at the top of the painting.

Detail of missing part

Painting during preparation for lining showing damaged and missing parts

A representative of the church decided to have the painting displayed in diptych. Consisting of one section being a monument.

Detail of text monument part before restoration.

Detail of text monument part after restoration.

A note of interest on the project is that the two canvases can be rejoined in the future if this is ever wished by the church.

Showing how the diptych is looking in the church.

One of the two new stretchers.

A photo showing the monument text at St. Margret's and how it appears in the church with its own frame in dark wood suitable to the interior of the church.

A photo showing the monument text at St. Margret's and how it appears in the church with its own frame in dark wood suitable to the interior of the church.

Shelia Day looking at the St Christopher in the new position.

A photo showing the diptych and how it appears in the church. To the far left you can see the monument framed in dark wood suitable to the interior of the church.