Figures around the central doorway in the West Front of Lichfield Cathedral, Staffordshire,” by Mary Grant (1831-1908). Nearly all the 113 figures on this front were replaced during Sir George Gilbert Scott's restoration of the cathedral. Nikolaus Pevsner dates them to 1876-84, "replacing cement or stucco statues of 1820-2" (179n). Most of the statues were produced locally from the Bridgeman workshop. The only exceptions were a likeness of Queen Victoria herself on the main façade,” by her sculptor daughter Princess Louise, and these around the central doorway” by Grant (Scaife 13). A medieval carving of Christ in Glory remains in place in the canopy over the doorway.
In the centre of the door stands Grant's excellent sculpture of the Virgin Mary (see Related Material below). She supports her lifelike infant gently. Jesus has one arm raised in blessing. Next to them on the left (see the enlarged version of the picture above) stands St Mary Magdalene, holding ointment.
Related Material
Photographs and text by Jacqueline Banerjee. You may use these images without prior permission for any scholarly or educational purpose as long as you (1) credit the photographer and (2) link your document to this URL in a web document or cite it in a print one.]
Bibliography
Pevsner, Nikolaus. The Buildings of England: Staffordshire. London: Penguin, 1974.
Scaife, Patricia. The Carvings of Lichfield Cathedral. Much Wenlock, Shropshire:R. J. L. Smith, 2010.
Last modified 26 April 2013