Medieval drawings and the apostolic succession (of artists)

["Ian Marr" <ianmarr@zzzzzzzzzzz>]

(from an old-ish thread)

Simon's raising of the question of medieval drawings, and the
observations on the subject, have me thinking on the question of
traditions - I think there is a general assumption that, as well as
working drawings, much of the cathedral builders' knowledge was both
privileged and orally transmitted.

I remember someone writing that when people like Pope and Walpole wanted
to build in the Gothic Revival style, stonemasons said 'Yes, Gothic - we
can do Gothic' - because they had never stopped.

Which leads me to discuss what has been called the apostolic succession
of artists, the lineage of not only skills, but attitudes and
philosophy.

Visiting England a few years ago, it was striking how so very many
practitioners have, through family, trade and friendship, some ultimate
association with Eric Gill. Is this the influence of strong personality,
powerful thinking, or historical chance? In a different tradition,
Seamus Murphy, in _Stone Mad_, looks back to his own 'brotherhood of the
dust' in Ireland.

Perhaps some stone learning people have stories of how this artistic
lineage has worked in their own lives.

Ian
http://www.ianmarr.com.au