Main hall, detail of Alberto Morrocco mural on North wall.

Description Main hall, detail of Alberto Morrocco mural on North wall.

Date 15/4/1997

Collection Records of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), Edinbu

Catalogue Number SC 713693

Category On-line Digital Images

Copy of D 11735 CN

Scope and Content 'The Way of the Cross' mural on north wall by Alberto Morrocco, St Columba's Parish Church, Church Street, Glenrothes, Fife St Columba's Parish Church, parochial centre and manse, were built in the New Town of Glenrothes in 1960, to designs by the architect Sir Anthony Wheeler (who, along with his partner, Frank Sproson formed the Fife-based architectural firm of Wheeler & Sproson). The building's plan is based on that of the post-Reformation church at nearby Burntisland and features a centrally placed altar, pulpit and font with choir and organ behind. This shows part of the mural on the wall behind the altar and elders' seats, which is visible to all the congregation as they worship. This section shows the Crucifixion, with figures gathered around the base of the cross. A small child offers palms, a symbol of martyrdom, and lilies, a symbol of purity. Only the feet of Christ, nailed to the cross, are shown, and the viewer is left to complete the scene in their imagination. In 1961 the artist Alberto Morrocco (1917-98) was commissioned to paint this large (15.24m long x 2.43m high) mural, and completed it in 1962. Murals and frescoes have long been used in religious buildings to tell stories and to give people a focus for worship. The expressive gestures and lush colours in this work draw the eye, as they contrast with the simple furnishings of the interior. This building has been selected as one of Scotland's key 20th-century Modern architectural monuments. Source: RCAHMS contribution to SCRAN.

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/collection/713693

File Format (TIF) Tagged Image File Format bitmap