December 10, 2006

Westminster Panels to Museum of London

The Museum of London has unveiled its latest acquisition, a pair of rare medieval paintings, known as the Westminster Panels, which miraculously survived the mass destruction of English religious art during Henry VIII’s dissolution of the monasteries.

Acquired by the museum for £190,000, the panels were commissioned by or for George Fascet, Abbot of Westminster from about 1498-1500. They depict the Archangel Gabriel and the Virgin standing on plinths which bear the shield of arms of Westminster Abbey and the Abbot himself.

From the 24 Hour Museum.

Posted by David on December 10, 2006 10:27 AM

Comments

I wonder how the panels survived. Were they hidden by clerics or lay persons? Were Henry's hounds paid off? It could make an interesting story, the provenance of the paintings. The article didn't say.

Posted by: Sarah [TypeKey Profile Page] on December 11, 2006 10:55 PM
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