19/02/2025
In the church of Puncknowle, Dorset which was built in the 1100s. Here we can see medieval paintings that were whitewashed over during the English Reformation. It was common that such paintings and artwork upon the walls of medieval churches were covered in this era.
The emerging Protestant Church saw elaborate religious art as idolatrous, sparking a wave of destruction known as the Iconoclasm. Many churches were stripped of their decorations, with religious imagery removed and replaced by simpler, more austere designs.
Protestants believed that Catholics treated images of Christ, Mary, and the saints as objects of worship, as if the figures were truly present within them. They also viewed practices like touching, kissing, and speaking to religious images as improper. Whitewashing became a common and inexpensive method to cover up these paintings.
They remained 'buried' until the Victorian era when their history started to be appreciated and the layers and centuries old white wash was gently removed.
