Who painted Sedilia, piscinas, screens and stallwork?

Sedilia, piscinas, screens and stallwork was painted by Charles Frederick Godbold Turner in 1895.

Where can I see Sedilia, piscinas, screens and stallwork?

Sedilia, piscinas, screens and stallwork is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is Sedilia, piscinas, screens and stallwork?

Sedilia, piscinas, screens and stallwork is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Sedilia, piscinas, screens and stallwork

Charles Frederick Godbold Turner , 1895

Sedilia, piscinas, screens and stallwork is a drawing by the Impressionist artist Charles Frederick Godbold Turner. It dates from 1895 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. The work is a collection of black‑and‑white sketches that record specific architectural components found in medieval churches.

About this work

Overview

The work is a collection of black‑and‑white sketches that record specific architectural components found in medieval churches. It includes representations of sedilia—stone seats for clergy—piscinas, ornamental screens, and various forms of stallwork, all rendered in quick, gestural lines that emphasize form over detail.

Subject & Meaning

Each drawing isolates functional and decorative elements of ecclesiastical interiors, highlighting how liturgical furniture and fittings were integrated into the spatial design of sacred spaces. The inclusion of a crowned figure and pointed‑arch window suggests an interest in both symbolic iconography and structural typology.

Technique & Style

Executed with loose, rapid strokes, the sketches convey a sense of immediacy, likely produced on site or from direct observation. The monochrome medium focuses attention on proportion and geometry, while marginal annotations record dimensions, underscoring the artist’s intent to document rather than embellish.

History & Provenance

The drawings are attributed to an unnamed hand that labeled the sheets with the title “Sedilia, piscinas, screens and stallwork.” Their provenance links them to a collection of architectural studies, now held by the Victoria and Albert Museum, where they serve as reference material for scholars of medieval church architecture.

Context

Such studies were common among architects, antiquarians, and restorers in the 19th and early 20th centuries, when systematic recording of historic fabric supported preservation efforts. The focus on liturgical furnishings reflects contemporary scholarly interest in the functional aspects of ecclesiastical design.

Artist & collection

Artist

Charles Frederick Godbold Turner

Charles Frederick Godbold Turner spent his life drawing the small stuff most people ignore: the worn stone of cathedral steps, the faded embroidery on an old priest’s robe, the way light slants through a church window.