Kilmalieu Graveyard. Mural monument, Thomas Hislop, 1785. Digital image of C 23437/7.

Description Kilmalieu Graveyard. Mural monument, Thomas Hislop, 1785. Digital image of C 23437/7.

Collection Papers of Betty Willsher, historian, St Andrews, Scotland

Catalogue Number SC 801705

Category On-line Digital Images

Copy of C 23437/7

Scope and Content Mural monument to Thomas Hislop, Martha McPhin and Agnes and John Hislop, Kilmalieu Graveyard, Inveraray, Argyll & Bute This mural monument features an architectural surround with complex decorative brackets and a broken pediment surmounted by a flaming urn, symbol of eternal life. Above the long inscribed panel is a winged soul, symbol of the spirit ascending to Heaven after death. Beneath the inscription is a macabre bat-winged skull, emblem of 'Death on swift wings'. Gravestones both commemorate the dead and challenge the living to confront their own mortality. In this example, the message is two-fold. The soul and flaming urn express a belief and hope in life after death for the deceased. Whilst the grisly flying skull reminds the living that they should lead a virtuous life as Death (and Judgement) awaits them. This mural (wall-mounted) monument commemorates Thomas Hislop, who died in 1785, and his wife Martha McPhin, who died in 1810. Also commemorated are their children, Agnes and John. Source: RCAHMS contribution to SCRAN.

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/collection/801705

File Format (TIF) Tagged Image File Format bitmap