The Tower of Babel
from Scenes from the Bible

Photo © Martin Crampin, Imaging the Bible in Wales larger image

about 1970 Over sixty square panels with scenes from the Old and New Testaments. The panels are situated on the wall behind the pulpit, arranged around a large plain cross. technique: painting artist: Alan Fairhurst New Jerusalem Congregational Church, Barry, Vale of Glamorgan The scenes were copied from an illustrated Bible, and painted on celiing tiles. They were unveiled by the artist's wife in 1970. A few are signed by the artist and dated 1969. The presence of such a prominent array of illustrations of the Bible in a Non-conformist chapel is probably unique in Wales. However, the Calvinistic resistance to the imaging of Christ is still present, as frequently Christ's face is deliberately obscured, or he is shown from behind.  (ObjectID=3381 ImageID=3936) Original File Name=_MG_0217A.jpg

Other works associated with this work

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• 'In the beginning ...' the ordering of chaos  [Genesis 1:1-2]
• a paralytic is let down through the roof of the house where Christ is preaching - miracles of Christ  [Matthew 9:1-8; Mark 2:2-12; Luke 5:17-26]
• a Samaritan tending the wounds of the traveller - the good Samaritan  [Luke 10:33-34]
• Abraham (not in biblical context) 
• admitted in Joseph's presence, the brothers bow down before him - first journey of Joseph's brothers to Egypt  [Genesis 42:6-16]
• annunciation of the birth of John the Baptist to Zacharias: while he is offering incense in the temple an angel (Gabriel) appears to him  [Luke 1:11-20]
• Ark of the Covenant elsewhere (not in Tabernacle)  [Exodus 25:10-16]
• celebration of the first Passover  [Exodus 12:3-27]
• Christ before Pontius Pilate - trial of Christ  [Matthew 27:11-26; Mark 15:2-15; Luke 23:2-7; Luke 23:13-25; John 18-19:]
• Christ blessing children brought by their mothers  [Matthew 19:13-15; Mark 10:13-16; Luke 18:15-17]
• Christ blessing the bread and fish brought by a boy - multiplication of loaves and fishes for a multitude of four or five thousand people - miracles of Christ  [Matthew 14:19; Mark 6:41; Luke 9:16; John 6:9-11; Matthew 15:36]
• Christ orders (six) jars to be filled with water - marriage-feast at Cana 
• Christ preaching or teaching (in general) 
• Christ's dispute with the doctors in the temple  [Luke 2:46-50]
• Daniel sitting unharmed in the lion's den, surrounded by lions  [Daniel 6:22]
• David slings a stone at Goliath's forehead  [1 Samuel 17:49]
• Elijah fed by the raven(s): while the prophet is living by the brook, ravens bring him food - story of Elijah  [1 Kings 17:4-6]
• entry into Jerusalem: people spreading their clothes before Christ on the ass, and waving palm branches  [Matthew 21:1-11; Matthew 21:14-16; Mark 11:12-14; Luke 19:28-40; John 12:12-19]
• flight into Egypt and miracles during the journey  [Matthew 2:14-15]
• Garden of Eden, paradise  [Genesis 2:8-9]
• Gethsemane, Mount of Olives, 'Oelberg': Christ's prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane during the night  [Matthew 26:37-45; Mark 14:33-41; Luke 22:40-46]
• Isaac sitting in bed blesses Jacob who, disguised in Esau's clothes, brings food to his father; Jacob's hands and neck are covered with goatskins  [Genesis 27:18-29]
• Jacob gives Joseph a coat of many colours  [Genesis 37:3]
• John the Baptist in the wilderness, usually accompanied by a lamb  [Luke 1:80; Matthew 3:1]
• journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem - story of the birth of Christ  [Luke 2:4-5]
• Martha serving or preparing food in the kitchen; Mary sits at Christ's feet, listening - Christ in the house of Martha and Mary  [Luke 10:39-40]
• Mary, Joseph and the new-born Christ (Nativity)  [Luke 2:1-7]
• Moses receives the tables of the law from God  [Exodus 24:12; Exodus 31:18]
• on the way to Damascus Christ appears to Saul, who falls from his horse and is blinded by the light - the conversion of Paul  [Acts 9:3-7]
• Peter throws himself into the sea and swims or wades towards Christ - appearance of the Risen Christ at the Lake of Gennesaret  [John 21:7]
• temple of Solomon 
• the Annunciation: Mary, usually reading, is visited by the angel  [Luke 1:26-38]
• the ark floating on the waters (destruction of mankind not visible) - story of Noah  [Genesis 7:17-20]
• the ascension of Elijah: a chariot, horses of fire and a whirlwind appear and Elijah is carried up into heaven; Elijah's cloak falls (or he hands it over to Elisha)  [2 Kings 2:1-18]
• the burning bush - calling of Moses  [Exodus 3:2]
• the calling of Samuel - Samuel listens to the Lord after he is called for the fourth time  [1 Samuel 3:10-14]
• the crowing cock - denial of Peter  [Matthew 26:74-75; Mark 15:68-72; Luke 22:60-61; John 19:27]
• the crucifixion of Christ: Christ's death on the cross; Golgotha  [Matthew 27:45-58; Mark 15:33-45; Luke 23:44-52; John 19:25-38]
• the dedication of the golden statue: in the presence of King Nebuchadnezzar, trumpets are blown and all the people surrounding the image fall on their knees  [Daniel 3:3-7]
• the dream of Jacob: while sleeping on the ground with a stone for pillow Jacob sees a ladder reaching from earth to heaven with angels going up and down  [Genesis 29:11-15]
• the finding of Moses: Pharaoh's daughter comes to bathe with her maidens in the river and discovers the child floating on the water  [Exodus 2:5-6]
• the Israelites build the cities of Pithom and Raamses - oppression of the Israelites in Egypt  [Exodus 1:11-14]
• the journey to Emmaus: two disciples (Cleopas and Peter) under way  [Luke 24:13-29]
• the judgement of Solomon  [1 Kings 3:16-28]
• the Last Supper  [Matthew 26:21-35; Mark 14:18-31; Luke 22:15-23; John 13:21-38]
• the spies take away some of the fruits of Canaan and return, usually carrying a large bunch of grapes on a pole  [Numbers 13:23-24]
• the Tower of Babel  [Genesis 11:4-6]
• the Transfiguration: Moses and Elijah appear on either side of Christ on Mount Tabor  [Matthew 17:1-13; Mark 9:2-13; Luke 9:28-36]
• with lamb's blood the Israelites make marks (usually tau-crosses) on the doorposts of their houses - celebration of the first Passover  [Exodus 12:22]

Photo © Martin Crampin, Imaging the Bible in Wales