Home
Talks
A Casket of Jewels: The Art and Architecture of Coventry Cathedral
A Casket of Jewels: The Art and Architecture of Coventry Cathedral
One of the most important masterpieces of modern British architecture itself, Coventry Cathedral is also a repository for major works of modern British art. Art historian and BAFTA nominated broadcaster James Fox explores the cathedral’s architecture, designed by Basil Spence, and an array of its most riveting artworks: from sculptures by Jacob Epstein, Elizabeth Frank, and Jeffrey Clark, to Graham Sutherland’s tapestry of Christ in Glory, John Piper’s powerful Baptistry Window and more.
Time Period:
20th century
Dr James Fox is a Cambridge art historian, bestselling author and multi award-winning broadcaster. He is Director of Studies in History of Art at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, and Creative Director of the Hugo Burge Foundation. His critically-acclaimed books on art and culture have been translated into fourteen languages. His most recent title and best-seller Craftland: a journey through Britain’s Lost Arts and Vanishing Trades (2025) has been named Waterstones Book of the Year, BBC’s book of the week and shortlisted for the Nero Book Prize. James is perhaps best known for his many arts documentaries for the BBC, including A History of Art in Three Colours, The Art of Japanese Life The Age of the Image and Nature and Us: a history through Art
Watch more
Watch more
14:06
The Great East Window: Brian Clarke
A history and personal reflection of the stained glass Great East Window of York Minster.
11:19
Building St Paul's: The Nation's Church
Out of the ashes of the Great Fire of 1666, rose a building designed by Sir Christopher Wren which would define the skyline of London.
9:45
Ely Cathedral's Lady Chapel: Devotion and Destruction
Paul Binski describes how the apotheosis of English medieval decoration fell victim to 'hammer happy' religious reformers.
14:06
The Great East Window: Brian Clarke
A history and personal reflection of the stained glass Great East Window of York Minster.
11:19
Building St Paul's: The Nation's Church
Out of the ashes of the Great Fire of 1666, rose a building designed by Sir Christopher Wren which would define the skyline of London.
9:45
Ely Cathedral's Lady Chapel: Devotion and Destruction
Paul Binski describes how the apotheosis of English medieval decoration fell victim to 'hammer happy' religious reformers.