Alexander Abingdon
Encyclopedia
Alexander of Abingdon (aka Alexander L'Imageur) was one of the leading sculptors of England around 1300.
By 1291 he was active in London, where he probably lived for most of his life. In the accounts of the executors of the estate of Queen Eleanor of Castile
, Alexander is described as a maker of images (le ymagour). It seems that this term indicated a maker of statues of human figures carved in the round, rather than a mason working on the general architectural ornament. From 1291 to 1294 he was employed on carving the marble tomb-chest for the bronze effigy of Queen Eleanor of Castile in the Lincoln Cathedral. Alexander of Abingdon also supplied wax models for three small images cast by William of Suffolk for Eleanor’s heart in the Blackfriars‘ church in London. All of these works are now lost. He is last documented in 1316–17, when he was associated with the royal master mason, Michael of Canterbury. It is likely that Alexander and Michael of Canterbury also worked together at Ely on the tomb of Bishop William of Louth (died 1298), Alexander again being responsible for the effigy.
Alexander of Abingdon’s three authenticated sculptures, are now on loan to the Victoria and Albert Museum
in London. These figures represent Queen Eleanor of Castile and they were carved for the Waltham Cross
- one of the twelve monumental crosses commissioned by Eleanor’s husband, King Edward I
, after the Queen’s death in Harby in 1290. These memorials marked the places where Eleanor’s body rested for the night on the funerary route to Westminster. On the basis of stylistic similarities, the sculpture of a standing Virgin and Child, acquired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2003, was also attributed to Alexander of Abingdon. The sculptor's style is characterised by a subtle treatment of draperies, which are both heavy and intricate.
There are stylistic affinites between Alexander of Abingdon’s figures and the paintings and illuminations in the Westminster style. Abingdon’s work has been associated particularly with that of the painter and illuminator, Master Walter of Durham, who was active in the Palace of Westminster
and in the Westminster Abbey
and who is also known to have executed work on Queen Eleanor’s tomb around 1292. Master Walter might have also done some work for the Abbingdon abbey . The affinity between Alexander of Abingdon’s sculptures and contemporary illuminations assist in locating him within the circle of courtly art.
By 1291 he was active in London, where he probably lived for most of his life. In the accounts of the executors of the estate of Queen Eleanor of Castile
Eleanor of Castile
Eleanor of Castile was the first queen consort of Edward I of England. She was also Countess of Ponthieu in her own right from 1279 until her death in 1290, succeeding her mother and ruling together with her husband.-Birth:...
, Alexander is described as a maker of images (le ymagour). It seems that this term indicated a maker of statues of human figures carved in the round, rather than a mason working on the general architectural ornament. From 1291 to 1294 he was employed on carving the marble tomb-chest for the bronze effigy of Queen Eleanor of Castile in the Lincoln Cathedral. Alexander of Abingdon also supplied wax models for three small images cast by William of Suffolk for Eleanor’s heart in the Blackfriars‘ church in London. All of these works are now lost. He is last documented in 1316–17, when he was associated with the royal master mason, Michael of Canterbury. It is likely that Alexander and Michael of Canterbury also worked together at Ely on the tomb of Bishop William of Louth (died 1298), Alexander again being responsible for the effigy.
Alexander of Abingdon’s three authenticated sculptures, are now on loan to the Victoria and Albert Museum
Victoria and Albert Museum
The Victoria and Albert Museum , set in the Brompton district of The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, London, England, is the world's largest museum of decorative arts and design, housing a permanent collection of over 4.5 million objects...
in London. These figures represent Queen Eleanor of Castile and they were carved for the Waltham Cross
Waltham Cross
Waltham Cross is the most southeasterly town in Hertfordshire, England. It is 12 miles from the City of London and immediately north of the M25 motorway, forming part of the Greater London Urban Area and London commuter belt. Part of Waltham Cross is located within Greater London.-Geography:It is...
- one of the twelve monumental crosses commissioned by Eleanor’s husband, King Edward I
Edward I of England
Edward I , also known as Edward Longshanks and the Hammer of the Scots, was King of England from 1272 to 1307. The first son of Henry III, Edward was involved early in the political intrigues of his father's reign, which included an outright rebellion by the English barons...
, after the Queen’s death in Harby in 1290. These memorials marked the places where Eleanor’s body rested for the night on the funerary route to Westminster. On the basis of stylistic similarities, the sculpture of a standing Virgin and Child, acquired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2003, was also attributed to Alexander of Abingdon. The sculptor's style is characterised by a subtle treatment of draperies, which are both heavy and intricate.
There are stylistic affinites between Alexander of Abingdon’s figures and the paintings and illuminations in the Westminster style. Abingdon’s work has been associated particularly with that of the painter and illuminator, Master Walter of Durham, who was active in the Palace of Westminster
Palace of Westminster
The Palace of Westminster, also known as the Houses of Parliament or Westminster Palace, is the meeting place of the two houses of the Parliament of the United Kingdom—the House of Lords and the House of Commons...
and in the Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey
The Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster, popularly known as Westminster Abbey, is a large, mainly Gothic church, in the City of Westminster, London, United Kingdom, located just to the west of the Palace of Westminster. It is the traditional place of coronation and burial site for English,...
and who is also known to have executed work on Queen Eleanor’s tomb around 1292. Master Walter might have also done some work for the Abbingdon abbey . The affinity between Alexander of Abingdon’s sculptures and contemporary illuminations assist in locating him within the circle of courtly art.