Description
‘Among the treasures of ecclesiastical art, not the least important are the vestments. They were not made to enhance the priest, but rather to humiliate him. The priest in his own clothes is only himself… Once vested in the raiment of the church he ceases to be himself, he ‘puts on Christ’, speaking not in his name but in that of the Church’ from foreword by Fr Jerome Bertram.
An introductory survey of the developing style and use of church vestments in the West. Highlights the draping, flowing vestments from the early church (themselves originally variations of ordinary dress) and how trends in church fashion saw a return to earlier gothic styles in 19th century. Chart at the back details the stylistic differences between the various styles of chasuble, including the minor differences between French, Roman and Galician styles.
