The long-lost wooden panel, discovered in 2017, has been confirmed to be part of the Hexham Abbey’s Dance of Death sequence, a series of four surviving wooden panel paintings that date back to around 1500. The panel paintings are believed to illustrate Death visiting powerful figures, including a cardinal, a king, an emperor, and the Pope, with each panel providing a unique perspective on the medieval understanding of life and death.
For centuries, art historians and scholars had been searching for the existence of a fifth panel, which was thought to depict the “introducer or caller”. A 1790s sketch by antiquarian John Carter provided a tantalizing clue, but the panel itself remained elusive.
The sketch, which showed a figure in Tudor dress, was thought to be the missing piece of the puzzle, but it was not until the panel was discovered in 2017 that the mystery was finally solved.
The panel, which had not been seen since the 1990s, was found in the abbey’s triforium, an area of the Abbey that is rarely visited due to its inaccessibility.
As it was in poor condition, the panel was examined by Dr Charis Theodorakopoulos, a heritage scientist at Northumbria University, using a spectral imaging camera.
The spectral imaging camera uses a range of wavelength bands from across the electromagnetic spectrum, allowing the user to merge images taken at three different wavelengths of light to create a single image.
By merging the images taken at three wavelengths of red, green, and blue light, an image of a figure in Tudor dress could be identified, believed to be the “caller”.
The discovery of the panel has been hailed as a “monumental achievement” for Hexham Abbey and for art conservation.
Dr Theodorakopoulos said: “The discovery of this panel that may belong to the Dance of Death series of paintings is a monumental achievement for Hexham Abbey and for art conservation. This is not only a rediscovery of an important piece of art history, but it also demonstrates the potential of modern technology in unlocking the secrets of our cultural heritage.”
Tom Kelsey of Hexham Abbey added: “The technical skills that Dr Theodorakopoulos and Northumbria University brought to our investigations cannot be underestimated. Melding together the spectral analysis and the history of the Abbey’s medieval art collection has proved so helpful – and will be of enduring interest to many academics and interested observers.”
The panel paintings are considered some of the most important surviving examples of medieval English panel painting, a genre particularly vulnerable to destruction during periods of religious reform, such as the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century.
Hexham Abbey’s Dance of Death panels offer a striking and poignant depiction of the medieval perspective on life and death, with Death represented as a skeletal figure visiting individuals from all walks of life, regardless of their social status.
The panel paintings are unique in British church art, providing a unique insight into the medieval understanding of mortality and the afterlife.
The discovery of the panel has shed new light on the Dance of Death series, a genre that is often overlooked in favour of more prominent works of art.
The panel’s rediscovery has also highlighted the importance of preserving and conserving cultural heritage, particularly in areas that are often inaccessible or neglected.
As Dr Theodorakopoulos noted, “The discovery of this panel that may belong to the Dance of Death series of paintings is a testament to the power of collaboration and the importance of using modern technology to unlock the secrets of our cultural heritage.”
In the future, the panel will be conserved and restored, ensuring that it remains a vital part of the Abbey’s collection for generations to come.
The rediscovery of the panel is a shining example of the impact that technology can have on art conservation, and a reminder of the importance of preserving our cultural heritage for future generations.
As the panel is taken to a conservation lab for further examination and restoration, art lovers and scholars alike can look forward to a new era of discovery and exploration, one that will uncover the secrets of this fascinating piece of art.
A Lost Treasure Found
Representation image: This image is an artistic interpretation related to the article theme.
