First church ‘Doom’ artwork in 500 years goes on display
THE first parish church “Doom” painting made with traditional methods in more than half a millennium has gone on display.
Before the Reformation, these brightly-coloured depictions of Christ’s judgment were common. They allowed illiterate worshippers to understand that sinning meant a journey to Hell, but righteousness meant eternal life.
During the 16th century they were considered a bit too Popish and the vast majority were plastered over or destroyed.
Now, at the rural St Mary’s church in Woodham Ferrers, near Chelmsford, Essex, a newly completed ‘Doom’ painting can be seen.
It was based on the traces of the original that decorated the chancel arch and following close examination of those “Doom” paintings that remain.
The name “Doom” comes from “dom”, an old English word for judgment.
Using authentic pigments, gold leaf and brushes made from hog and squirrel hair, Steve Lawes, a medieval art expert, painted a version of the original.
Like most “Doom” paintings it is a representation of the Last Judgment at Christ’s second coming.
The painting depicts the righteous climbing from their graves to eternal life, and the unrighteous – including a clergyman and king – departing to their eternal punishment.
Lawes said: “It was a genuine thrill to be asked to recreate it using traditional techniques.
“It is not as big as the original but I hope it captures the colour and drama and that it provides a sense of what worshippers would once have been looking at as they attended services.”