sculpture
Basilica Museum
All rights reserved.
| Object Name: | sculpture |
| Artist/Maker: | Hogan, John |
| Classification: | man-made artefact |
| Category: | communication artefact |
| Sub-category: | art |
| Discipline: | church history decorative arts fine arts |
| Material: | Carraran marble |
| Technique: | sculpted |
| Accession Number: | Noaccession16 |
| Origin-Province: | Province of Rome |
| Origin-Country: | Italy |
| Origin-Continent: | Southern Europe |
| Use-Province: | Newfoundland and Labrador Pre-Confederation Newfoundland |
| Use-Country: | Canada Dominion of Newfoundland |
| Culture: | Irish Italian |
| Cultural Context: | religious decoration and commemoration |
| Earliest Production Date: | 1855 |
| Period: | mid 19th century |
| Description: | This plaque depicts Bishop Fleming holding a scroll containing the plans for completing the Basilica Cathedral, and is seen passing them over to his successor, Bishop Mullock. A child is also shown kneeling at their feet, to represent the orphan children of the diocese who were now being entrusted to Bishop Mullock. There is also an inscription on the bottom of the sculpture. |
| Narrative: | On the East Wall of the Basilica, midway between the entrance and the apse, is a sculpture of Bishop Fleming and Bishop Mullock. This memorial was erected in 1855 by Bishop Mullock in memory of his predecessor Bishop Fleming. Created by John Hogan in Carraran marble, this sculpture is considered to some be one of the more interesting monuments found in the Basilica. In the scene, Bishop Fleming can be seen holding a scroll containing the plans for completing the Basilica Cathedral, and is passing them over to his successor, Bishop Mullock. A child can also be seen kneeling at their feet, signifying the orphan children of the diocese. The orphan children were always a subject of great concern to Bishop Fleming, and like the building of the cathedral, they were now being entrusted to Bishop Mullock. It is also said that Bishop Mullock intended the child to signify the Cathedral becoming a orphan, after losing it's father, Bishop Fleming. Furthermore, Hogan's sculpture is so well-done, that the likeness of each of the Bishop's is considered a portrait in marble. |
| History of Use: | This sculpture was erected in May 1855 in the Basilica Cathedral by Bishop Mullock, and is still in the same location. |
| Quantity: | 1 |
| Number of Components: | 1 |
| Component Part Names: | sculpture |
| Subject/Image: | fine art sculpture religious sculpture |
| Inscription: | Erected by John Thomas Mullock, O.S.F. In memory of his friend and predecessor Michael Anthony Fleming, O.S.F. Bishop of Newfoundland. He died on the 14th of July, 1850, in the 57th year of his age and the 21st of his episcopacy. The Cathedral and the Orphanage are enduring monuments of his zeal and charity. R.I.P. |
| Institution: | Basilica Museum |
| Institution City: | St. John's |
| Institution Province: | Newfoundland & Labrador |
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