Viterbo's Cathedral, properly known as the Cathedral-Basilica of San Lorenzo, is a twelfth century Romanesque edifice located within central Italy part way between Rome and Florence. For a time, this particular basilica was home to two popes: Alexander IV and John XXI.
The Cathedral-Basilica of San Lorenzo in Viterbo
Viterbo's Cathedral, properly known as the Cathedral-Basilica of San Lorenzo, is a twelfth century Romanesque edifice located within central Italy part way between Rome and Florence. For a time, this particular basilica was home to two popes: Alexander IV and John XXI.
A Sixteenth Century Antependium Featuring the Roman Martyr, St. Lawrence
Saint Lawrence is a popular third century Roman martyr who was killed during the persecutions of the Emperor Valerian. He is said to have died in the year A.D. 258 at the tender age of 33 -- thus placing his martyrdom thirty years before that of another great and popular ma…
A Rare Example of a Western Vestment Showcasing the Transfiguration
For whatever reason, in the Christian West the Transfiguration is one of those events in the life of Christ that has not received as much liturgical prominence as say the Nativity, the Epiphany, or the Ascension. In fact in the Latin rite it was only in the mid-fifteenth ce…
The Feast of Our Lady of the Snows and the Medieval Facade of Santa Maria Maggiore
In a previous article , we discussed the current baroque and previous medieval facade of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome. Like so many of the churches of Rome, it has seen an evolution in its appearance over the centuries. In general, antique, Roman inspired facades were, in th…
The Five Cupolas of the Basilica of San Marco in Venice
In a previous article we spoke more generally about the Italo-Byzantine Domes of Venice . That particular article was focused primarily on the exterior of the domes with their distinctive shape that can be found throughout Venice as well as some other parts of Italy where th…
The Wooden Churches of Chile
While I tend to most appreciate a fully polychromed marble church in the Imperial Roman tradition, I have also always been drawn to wooden church structures. There is a certain rusticity about these churches that, much like a log cabin, feels comfortable in some way, shape …
The Fifth Century Byzantine Mosaic of Christ of Latomos in Thessaloniki
The church of Hosios David is a late, fifth century Byzantine church that was formerly the primary monastic church (or 'katholikon') of the Latomos Monastery. The church was originally built in the Byzantine 'cross in square' plan and, as such, it is one of …
A Selection of Mitres from the 1200's through the 1500's
In a previous article, written in January 2023, we considered the topic of The History and Development of the Mitre . That particular article was primarily concerned with the development of the shape of mitres over the course of their history. Today we are less concerned wit…
Filippino Lippi and the Beautiful Cappella Carafa in Santa Maria Sopra Minerva
To my mind, one of the most fascinating periods where the Western art of painting is concerned is the Renaissance. Renaissance era painters combine the piety and symbolism of the medieval period with the refined elegance and techniques of later ages such as the baroque. Th…
Vestments from the Norbertine Abbey of Averbode in Belgium
Recently I came across a truly stunning set of vestments from the Norbertine Abbey of Averbode, located near Brussels in Belgium -- but first a bit of history about the abbey itself. The abbey was founded in the first half of the twelfth century before it was suppressed for…
Tonsure Scissors for Liturgical Rites
Liturgical scissors are a rare sight. They are still seen and used in convents and some seminaries. The scissors are used in the ceremony by which clerics are made (tonsure) and the ceremony of first vows for nuns. The cutting of the hair in the rites permits us to consider…
A Digital Reconstruction of a Romanesque Era Altar and Sanctuary
Recently I came across an interesting virtual reconstruction which is a speculative reconstruction of the Romanesque presbytery of the original cathedral of Girona in Spain. This reconstruction was made by 3D Stoa (who have also done this excellent reconstruction of Old St.…
A Selection of Green Chasubles from the Renaissance Era
It is summer time and with summer we find ourselves -- predominantly -- in liturgically green times, so what better time of the year to stop and taken a little 'tour' of some fascinating chasubles in the colour green. For today's considerations I have opted to …
Remnants of a Carved Marble Chancel Screen from Thessaloniki
Typically, when one thinks of Byzantine or Eastern Christian art, we tend to think very much in terms of painted works, not sculptural one's, but of course this is more indicative of the direction Byzantine art would take in the second millennium and it is not necessari…
Trent Before the Counter-Reformation: A Selection of Pre-Conciliar Tridentine Altarpieces
What was Trent like before it became "Trent" as we now tend to think of it? What I mean of course is what were the churches in Trent like prior to the Council of Trent (1545-1563) -- pre-conciliar Trent, if you will. The Council of Trent came out of a need for th…
Liturgical Curiosities: A Gilt Leather Chasuble, Maniple and Stole
Over the years I've seen many curious things and in the realm of sacred vestments one of the more interesting things I've come across are various chasubles made of lace . Now when you think about it historically that's not so very unusual. You use what you have …
Sacerdos Ecclesiastical Tailoring in the Philippines
Art is a tool and since the very essence of liturgical art is to honor God and present the invisible in visible form, it is of the utmost importance to have tailors and artists who can offer the best possible product for service at the altar. The liturgical arts industry is…
A Hidden Masterpiece: The Statue of the Virgin and Child in the Basilica of Sant'Anastasia al Palatino, Rome
I recently came across a very beautiful statue of the Virgin and Child that is located in the Basilica of Sant'Anastasia al Palatino in Rome. This particular statue has a particular European elegance to it and, based on its particular qualities and style, I would wonder…
The Royal Chapel of the Trinity in Château de Fontainebleau
The Château de Fontainebleau was formerly a royal residence located near Paris, having been used by a number of French monarchs as their summer residence (and as an interesting aside, Pope Pius VII stayed here in 1804 en route to crowning Napoleon 'emperor,' and he …
The Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Waterbury, Connecticut
The Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Waterbury, Connecticut was constructed between 1924 - 1928 by the architectural firm of Maginnis and Walsh of Boston. It was in 2008 that it was granted its honorific designation as a 'basilica' by Pope Benedict XVI. (For…
Contemporary Polychromed Sculpture - Val Gardena and the Studio of Ana Rocha
Recently Hape Sculpture , based out of Laion, Italy, revealed a collaborative piece with the atelier of Ana Rocha . This particular collaboration involved Hape producing the hand-carved wooden sculpture itself -- in this instance, a baroque-inspired statue of St. Peter -- wh…
From Kitchen to Chapel: St. Matthew Adoration Chapel in Forestville, Connecticut
C anning Liturgical Arts recently shared a rather unique project with LAJ that involved the conversion of a parish's kitchen space into an adoration chapel. In some senses this might be considered a sort of "before and after" but to my mind, a project such as t…
The Italo-Byzantine Church of Santa Maria dell'Ammiraglio in Palermo, Sicily
Those with knowledge of the history of Italy will know that the southern regions have seen various cultural entities inhabiting and ruling there down the centuries. The Byzantine-Greeks were one such entity and for that reason it should likely come as little surprise that w…
A Tour of the Cathedral Basilica of Notre Dame in Ottawa, Canada
One of the most beautiful churches in Canada is surely the Cathedral Basilica of Notre Dame, located in the capital city of Canada: Ottawa. The basilica is situated near the Canadian capital buildings, and like them, the church is (primarily) constructed in a gothic revival…
Vestments Made by St.Thérèse of Lisieux
Those pilgrims who visit the Carmel in Lisieux are treated to a wonderful little museum at the entrance. Here on display can be seen a set of vestments made by St. Thérèse while she was a sister in the convent. It is a Low Mass Requiem set, in typical French style from that…
An Extraordinary Monstrance from 1774
The following monstrance (also called an "ostensorium") was made in the year 1774, coming by way of a donation made by a generous benefactor, M. Guisseppe Paglia, in his 80th year. We know this because there is a dedicatory inscription found on the monstrance. Thi…
Noble Beauty: An Altar Design for a Small Chapel
Just a little portfolio pitstop today to check in on the studio of Martin Earle . He recently has done some different work on various altars and altarpieces that have caught my attention and I wanted to share a bit of this work with you. Martin's design influences are …
"Strahlenmadonna" of Fifteenth and Sixteenth Century Germany
Medieval Madonna carving are generally quite striking and I've always had a particular interest in the Madonnas of the German tradition called Strahlenmadonna . In English this would translate as the Madonna of Radiance, coming with reference to rays of light that depict…
A Unique Dominican 'Memento' Cope
Here is a rather distinctive cope that feature saints of the Dominican Order. The cope presently is housed within the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. The fact is exclusively features Dominican saints is, of course, interesting, but that is not the main reason …
A Spanish Solemn Set For Green Liturgical Times
Now that we're entering the time of liturgical green once again, I thought we'd take a look at a unique solemn Mass set dated to the late 1600's that is presently found in the Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, The set is Spanis…
Vestments Dedicated to the Sacred Heart
With June being the month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, it is an apropos time to share some chasuble designs coming out of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries that show case some of the Sacred Heart. Our first design comes from Croatia and includes a large, full figure …
A Rare Look at an Exquisite, Full Length Rochet From the 1600's
For those not familiar, the rochet, while it may look like a surplice in many ways, it is not the same thing as a surplice. The rochet (which can be primarily distinguished from a surplice by way of its form fitting sleeves) is an article of clerical vesture that is worn so…
Romanesque: The Church of San Giorgio a Brancoli
It has been a little while since we last made a foray into the riches of the Romanesque, so we'll correct that today by taking a short tour of the church of San Giorgio in Brancoli, Lucca -- Lucca being in Tuscany and one of the locations where, along with Venice, would…
The Greeks of Venice
When one thinks of the fabled canals of Venice, what comes to mind? First and foremost, canals and gondolas of course. Second of all, a distinctive style of gothic architecture punctuated by Persian, Ottoman and arabic design influences. Third, the more studied will also t…
The Lost Basilica of St. John Located in Ephesus
There are many early Christian basilicas that are lost to history, but in most instances newer one's have taken their place. For that reason there is something especially sad about seeing an early Christian basilica that is simply left derelict and in ruin, especially w…
Introducing Adornare Paramenti Sacri of Hong Kong
Today I would like to introduce our readers to a relatively new vestment start-up, situated in Hong Kong: Adornare Paramenti Sacri . A longtime friend to LAJ introduced us to the new enterprise, so we thought we'd take a look at what they are doing. First though, we'…
Before and After: Restorations of the Facade of the Church of Ss. Nereo e Achilleo in Rome
Previously we have looked at the church of Ss. Nereo e Achilleo in Rome. In one article , we primarily focused on the interior of this very interesting church, while in another , we considered its connection to the Roman Martyrology and Cesare Cardinal Baronius. Today we are …
The Veils of the Balustrade (or Chancel Screen)
By now it is well enough known to most that in earlier Christian times, the great canopy (i.e. ciborium) that covered over the altar at one time also included textile hangings (effectively curtains) that could be drawn closed at certain points within the liturgy. This pract…
Baroque Triumphalism in Pennsylvania: Paintings of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Hanover
A little over a year ago we wrote about this particular restoration project by Canning Liturgical Arts at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Hanover, Pennsylvania but I thought it was worth returning to this restoration work to show feature some of the impressive painted w…
Paul the Silentiary on the Lamps and Illumination of Hagia Sophia
For one reason or another, I have a particular fascination with early Christian lamps (lampada). It is perhaps because, like many people, there is an almost instinctual draw to the warmth of flame and candlelight. In the Western church, with the exceptions of the Easter Vig…
Hand-Carved Statuary of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
As it is the month of the Sacred Heart, I wanted to share some sculptures of the Sacred Heart that were created by the studio of Mussner G. Vincenzo Ars Sacra , located in Ortisei, Italy. Many of our readers will already be familiar with this atelier of course, but for thos…
Before and After: Chapel of Saint Francis de Sales at Bishop Ireton High School in Alexandria, Virginia
Today we're pleased to present yet another instalment in the ever-popular 'before and after' series, and today we also get to introduce to our readers a new architectural firm: C.J. Howard Architecture . The project in question involves renovations that were unde…
A Unique and Rare Set of Pentecost Themed Vestments from the Eighteenth Century
Continuing on with our Pentecost considerations this week, I wanted to share a rather unique set that I came across recently. Many eighteenth century vestments were absent of pictorial imagery -- there are exceptions of course, but the fact of the matter is that eighteenth …
Before and After: Corpus Christi in South River, New Jersey
Almost two years ago we featured the new reredos that was installed at Corpus Christi church in South River, New Jersey. Since then the parish has been busily continuing on with its project of beautifying their church -- a good reminder in our time, a time which is so forme…
Further Pentecost Themed Vestments from the French School
Each year, whenever we hit the time of Pentecost, we try to feature some Pentecost themed vestments. We will continue that tradition once again this year with another selection of vestments, this time coming from the French school. In the eighteenth century, French vestment…
A Selection of Historical Antependia for Pentecost
Once again we find ourselves on the cusp of one of the most solemn days of the Church's liturgical year, the great feast of Pentecost. Pentecost, of course, commemorates the Holy Spirit descending upon the apostles fifty days after Christ's resurrection. By way of d…
Elena Neigum on the Icon as a Unifying Language of Sacred Art: East and West in Dialogue
Elena Neigum is an established iconographer and educator who is focused on the analysis of contemporary threats to the Byzantine iconography, advocating for the reaffirmation of the icon as a sacred and theological act within the life of the Church. -- LAJ. Guest article by …
Three Medieval English Embroidered Chasubles
If you enjoy late medieval and/or early Renaissance English vestment work, then you're in luck. Today we're going to share with you three distinctive chasubles taken from the period. Each of this three vestments were made sometime in the 1400's to early 1500'…
The Chancel Screen (Templon) of the Satkhe Monastery Church in Georgia
Over the past year or two, we've expended some time trying to showcase some of the liturgical-architectural features that were at one time commonly found in the churches of both the Christian East and West. One of those elements was the screen that separated the altar a…
A Golden Rose Crafted for the 125th Anniversary of St. Rita of Cascia's Canonization
On feast of St. Rita and the commemoration of 125th anniversary of her canonization. a decorative rose was crafted by Catholic craftsmen to adorn her image in the Augustinian church in Valletta Malta. Gabriel Farrugia, the director of music within the church, also happens t…
