The Complete Picture

I received an interesting comment from a reader about the plans for the continuing mosaic decoration of the Cathedral - reflecting questions that we receive every week from visitors about the unfinished state of the mosaics, and the dark and empty vaults (below).

We are committed to continuing the plan of our founders, Cardinal Vaughan and Francis Bentley, to continue the decoration of the Cathedral. It is unlikely in the extreme that it will be completed in our lifetimes, but our generation is contributing to the programme, and doing our part in taking the vision forward. Last year, we realised a full theological plan for the mosaics, which I will post later in the summer. We have on display in the Nave an artist's impression of the completed designs (below). This picture, which seems to dates from the 1930s or 1940s, is non-specific, and does not attempt to indicate what should go where.

An older version is show here, rather crowded and over-busy, and obviously drawn before the apse and baldacchino were established in their final form. Note, however, the arch above the sanctuary (indicated in blue) which is complete.

Note the images of the apostles (coloured) on the piers of the nave. This is good Byzantine practice, symbolizing the apostles as pillars of the Church. Perhaps there was a missed opportunity when the spaces on the piers were instead filled with marble panels (below).

In terms of fundraising, however, the mosaics can never be my primary concern. The Cathedral has more pressing needs - to pay its way each year, to build up a reserve for emergencies, and to undertake urgent repairs. However, it is my hope that we can make more people aware of the on-going mosaic decoration. We have some exciting projects in hand, about which I shall report soon. So who knows - one day we may rival San Marco's itself!

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