Coffee with a Curator – online talk

July 20, 2021 11.00-11.30

Edward Burne-Jones’s Saint Radegunda and Morris & Company in Cambridge

Join curator Helen Elletson to discover some of the fascinating objects in The William Morris Society’s collection

Edward Burne-Jones’s beautiful, coloured drawing of Saint Radegunda, created for All Saints church in Cambridge, is the only design for stained glass in the Society’s collection and justifiably one of its highlights. All Saints provided one of the earliest commissions for stained glass received by Morris, Marshall, Faulkner and Company, and the stunning East window; a Pre-Raphaelite tour de force containing twenty figures by Burne-Jones, William Morris and Ford Maddox Brown, is one of the glories of the church.

We’ll uncover the remarkable story of Saint Radegunda herself, a sixth-century Queen who founded an Abbey in France, before turning to the glorious interior decoration of All Saints. Described as ‘one of the most important works in the history of English architecture’, it is difficult to believe that G.F. Bodley’s Gothic Revival masterpiece was once threatened with demolition. However, All Saints has thankfully been restored and joins its rightful place as one of the highlights of Morris’s work in Cambridge. Our talk will end with a brief look at the other places to visit to enjoy Morris’s work; from the striking interiors of Peterhouse and Jesus College Chapel, to the spectacular Hall of Queens College.

Join us on a virtual ‘tour’ of the often-overlooked Morris & Company splendours in the historic City of Cambridge.

Please note that ticket sales close at 9am on the day of the event. Your link to join the event will be sent to you by email shortly before the start.

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