The Founders Tomb, Church of St. Bartholomew the Great
Joseph Pennell American
Not on view
Pennell, a Philadelphia-born Quaker, spent the first two decades of his career abroad, living primarily in London, where he became a close associate of Whistler. Here, he represents the tomb of Rahere in the church of St. Bartholomew the Great, in West Smithfield, London. A cleric who served Henry I, Rahere experienced a vision during a pilgrimage to Rome in 1123 then founded an Augustinian priory and hospital dedicated to serving the poor. Surviving Norman (Romanesque) portions of the church are considered fine examples of that architectural style. The gothic tomb is later, and the artist printed about thirty proofs.
