Remnant

Acrylic on canvas 30.2 x 30.2 cm

This is one of my Bridgwater Circle series. An atmospheric image captured at the end of Taunton Road leading to St Mary’s Street, Bridgwater, Somerset. Standing in the remains of an old cemetery from a church that was demolished in 1958. (Holy Trinity was re-built 1961 further south on the Hamp estate).
Now it’s a wall enclosed tree lined park with a path around and seats with a few scattered headstones. This beauty rests under the ancient yew trees at the front leaning, age worn in the shadows, the railings that once separated the churchyard from the street long gone. This stone is reminiscent of an old Celtic cross. I love its ethereal look.
I have since found out the headstone commemorates Richard Luxon, born in 1777. He died on 21st November 1849 age 72 years and was buried on 23rd Nov 1849. He was a farmer living at Pawlet. His headstone cost 10/6. A contemporary of the famous poets Wordsworth, Shelley and Coleridge who went to Chapel in Bridgwater and Coleridge’s friend, the iconic artist William Blake, may have visited him here in Bridgwater.

Original photograph taken 11 ‎April ‎2017, ‏‎16:36:44