Life-Sized Cast Iron Sculpture In Winchester Cathedral Crypt
‘Sound II’ is a life-sized cast iron sculpture of a man in the 11th century Winchester Cathedral crypt.
The crypt within the ancient cathedral floods annually - it was built on a high water table over a stream, so flooding has always been an issue.
When it rains, the sculpture can be seen holding water in its cupped hands, silent in contemplation as the level rises around him to cover the stone floor.
During the wetter months, the sculpture is usually half submerged.
The statue was installed in 1986 and was created by renowned sculpture Sir Anthony Gormley.
As he often does, Gormley used his own body to cast the distinctive, moody sculpture, first in plaster.
The final piece was then fashioned around the plaster form from sheets of lead, soldered at several joints.
The result is both smooth and broken, matte in finish yet gently glowing.
The installation of the sculpture was part of an effort by the cathedral to introduce contemporary art into the Gothic masterpiece.
Gormley, along with other artists like Barbara Hepworth and Cecil Collins, donated the work to the Diocese, providing it with an unexpected backdrop.
One of Gormley's most famous works is the "Angel of the North," a massive sculpture of an angel with outstretched wings located in Gateshead, England.
Other notable works include "Another Place," a series of cast iron figures installed on a beach in Liverpool, and "Quantum Cloud," a sculpture composed of thousands of steel rods suspended in space.
Gormley's contributions to contemporary art have been recognised with numerous awards and honours, including the Turner Prize in 1994 and a knighthood in 2014 for services to the arts.
The colossal vaults from the early Norman era were constructed close to the cathedrals founding in 1079.
Traditionally, crypts were built beneath churches and cathedrals to serve as burial chambers for clergy, nobility, and other prominent individuals.
The crypt of Winchester Cathedral likely served a similar function, housing the tombs and memorials of bishops, royalty, and other notable figures throughout history.
Visitors to the cathedral can see the sculpture as part of the admission fee - Crypt tours are available Monday to Saturday at 10.30am, 12.30pm and 2.30pm.
The cathedral itself has a history dating back over a thousand years.
It was originally founded in 642 and has been rebuilt and expanded several times over the centuries.
It showcases a mix of architectural styles, with elements ranging from Romanesque to Perpendicular Gothic.
Its notable features include the long nave, soaring vaulted ceilings, intricate stained glass windows, and a beautiful Gothic-style facade.
One of the cathedral's most famous attractions is the tomb of the renowned English novelist Jane Austen, who is buried in the cathedral's north aisle.
Austen lived in nearby Winchester for the last weeks of her life and requested to be buried there.
Visitors to the cathedral can also admire a wealth of medieval carvings, including the 12th-century Winchester Bible, which is one of the largest and finest surviving 12th-century English Bibles.
Someone who recently visited the cathedral said : “Regardless of your religious views, the Cathedral is a beautiful example of medieval architecture as it combines several styles starting with the Normans.
”The guided tour is worth the time to understand the different pieces of history that reside in the Cathedral and have influenced English history.
”And if you like history, do not miss the new exhibition - ‘Kings and Scribes.. Very impressive.”
If you’d like to visit the cathedral, the address is: 9 The Cl, Winchester SO23 9LS.
Tickets can be booked in advance via their official website.
If you enjoyed this blog post, please follow Exploring GB on Facebook for daily travel content and inspiration.
Don’t forget to check out our latest blog posts below!
Thank you for visiting Exploring GB.
