Art and Tolerance: A Timeless Dialogue: Echoes of the Past: How Art Connects Generations
The welcome need to be in Cochester, caused us to also have the pleasure of visiting two remarkable historical sites with the talented artist and sculptor, Jacob Chandler.
Jacob is known to us at Soulton for his stunning “As You Like It” dancers, a recent commission that beautifully captures the spirit of Shakespeare.
Meet Jacob Chandler, an inspiring artist we’ve championed. He navigates the challenges of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and colitis while also serving as a dedicated ambassador for others living with EDS.
Our journey took us to Ely Cathedral and two significant C16th renaisance buildings, offering a unique opportunity to connect with history, architecture, and the enduring themes of harmony and pluralism that resonate through art and preservation.
Stone Carving at Ely
Our first stop was the magnificent Ely Cathedral, a breathtaking example of medieval architecture.
Looking Up: crossing in Ely Cathedral
Seeing this grand structure in the company of an artist like Jacob Chandler provided a fresh perspective. We discussed how centuries of craftsmanship and faith are embodied in every stone, stained glass window, and vaulted ceiling. For an artist, this is more than just a building; it’s a monumental canvas that speaks of dedication, vision, and the timeless pursuit of beauty—qualities that Jacob’s own work so perfectly embodies.
Site of the shrine of St Etheldreda’s at Ely Cathedral . She was also called Audrey,
The next part of our trip took us to two properties built by the visionary Thomas Tresham: Lyveden and the Rushton Triangular Lodge.
Lyveden New Bield
Lyveden is a fascinating house, conceived by Tresham as a way to express his Catholic faith within a predominantly Protestant England. He sought to create a space that would allow for religious inclusion rather than persecution. His work mirrors the earlier efforts of Sir Rowland Hill, who, in the 1550s, sought to protect Protestants during a period of Catholic dominance.
Lyveden New Bield
We also visited the Rushton Triangular Lodge, another of Tresham’s creations. This building is a powerful symbol of his Catholic faith, with its unique triangular design representing the Holy Trinity. It stands as a testament to the ingenuity and faith of a man who used architecture to articulate his beliefs in a turbulent time. Visiting these sites with Jacob Chandler, whose art similarly speaks to complex ideas through form and material, created a truly enriching experience.
Rushton Triangular Lodge
These architectural projects are not just buildings; they are theological statements built in stone.
Interior: Rushton Triangular Lodge – maths!
They are a “high five” between past and present, a handshake across centuries that says: preservationists have always striven for harmony.
Interior: Rushton Triangular Lodge – more maths!
This shared goal is what makes our connection to these places so profound, and it is a theme that Shakespeare himself explored in “As You Like It.” He was not just writing a play; he was creating a monument to pluralism and tolerance, just as Tresham and Hill were doing with their architecture.
The trip provided a timely moment to reflect on Soulton’s own history and the architectural project of Old Sir Rowland Hill.
These buildings, famous in the “renaissance code,” are a useful lens through which to view Hill’s work, given the sectarian conflicts of the mid-1550s.
Both Hill and Tresham used architecture to express their deeply held beliefs about faith and coexistence, demonstrating a powerful form of expression that continues to speak to us today.
Jacob Chandler’s AS YOU LIKE IT dancers in the Moot Hall, Soulton Hall
This journey reaffirmed our belief that art and architecture are living histories.
They are not static monuments but active witnesses to humanity’s ongoing quest for harmony and expression.
We are deeply grateful to Jacob for sharing this inspiring experience with us and look forward to seeing how these reflections may influence his future work.
