‘An Account of an ancient painting’ by J S Hawkins, FSA

Scope and Content

'An Account of an ancient painting, on the wall of the Chapel of St Blase [actually St Faith], in the abbey church of St. Peter, Westminster', by John Sidney Hawkins, FSA (1758-1842); 1786, 1790. Two papers, the first (fols. 1-37v) being a revision of the second (fols. 38-49v). Read to SA, 22, 29 June 1786, 29 Apr., 6, 13 May 1790 (Minute Books XXI, pp. 304-12, 314-19; XXIII, pp. 375-81, 388-9, 390-7). Drawings and plans by Jacob Schnebbelie relating to the painting are in SA collection of topographical drawings, and in MSS/0263 (fol. 3a).

The painting is now identified as a representation of St Faith; see J. Perkins, Westminster Abbey. Its Worship and Ornaments (1952), iii, 24-32, pl. opp. 31, for an account of the chapels of St Blaise (dismantled in the 18th century) and St Faith, and reproduction of the figure of St Faith.

Access Information

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https://collections.sal.org.uk/haj