This vast, beautiful structure was established in 1876 and is a vivid example of High Victorian Gothic style. Designed by architect William Butterfield, who gained his
inspiration from the studying the churches of Venice. This monument was his last masterpiece and is a sight to behold, it was built in honor of John Keble, a Victorian clergy man. He was a leading member of the Oxford Movement; sought to stress the Catholic nature of the Church of England hence its design.
inspiration from the studying the churches of Venice. This monument was his last masterpiece and is a sight to behold, it was built in honor of John Keble, a Victorian clergy man. He was a leading member of the Oxford Movement; sought to stress the Catholic nature of the Church of England hence its design.
The buildings exterior is composed of nothing but horizontal polychromia bands of white bricks, black bricks, red bricks and stone; these colors define themselves so daringly to the point where at glance, the building seems to be created out of dozens of strips. The idea behind using of an array of opposing colors would probably be to minimize the heaviness of the exterior design on the eyes, so they opted to break the monotony of the structure through the use of different colors, textures and materials. This concept is applied to not only the Chapel's but the entirety of Keble College, like the magnificent entrance pictured above, an array of red bricks and white bricks are arranged in diagonal lines inviting people into the premises all held together by strong contrasts of dark wooded arches frames.
William Butterfield's design for the Chapel's interiors was one of intricate details and awakening through the use of color. A mosaic theme runs throughout every aspect of the Chapel, starting from the tiled flooring, stretching all the way through to the vaulted ceiling. The floor is fashioned from tiles in white,yellow, plum and green creating dozens of lozenges that cover the entire chapel. He also applied these colors in the walls and they are surrounded by borders of floral motifs and patterns in softer colors of pinks, blues and grey's all held together by the rows of dark wood benches.
Above the mosaics, he created a burst of vivid color in the stained glass windows, shades of red, deep blues, greens and mauve shine through, although this prevents maximum light penetrating into the Chapel, making the Chapel feel and look dull at certain hours of the day.
The walls then reach for the ceiling using the same colors and strips that can be seen on the exterior fronts on the Chapel, there a sense of singularity and union, showing that he treated the building as a whole. The burst of colors is muted down through the grey shafts that run
vertically through the Chapel and grey vaulted ceiling, it generates a softness and freshness in comparison to the stronger lower walls.
He designed interiors like they were pieces of an enormous puzzle put together to reveal a story. At first glance the whole design can seem chaotic and confusing however, it reveals how the Victorians sought to re-awaken their cities.
Above the mosaics, he created a burst of vivid color in the stained glass windows, shades of red, deep blues, greens and mauve shine through, although this prevents maximum light penetrating into the Chapel, making the Chapel feel and look dull at certain hours of the day.
The walls then reach for the ceiling using the same colors and strips that can be seen on the exterior fronts on the Chapel, there a sense of singularity and union, showing that he treated the building as a whole. The burst of colors is muted down through the grey shafts that run
vertically through the Chapel and grey vaulted ceiling, it generates a softness and freshness in comparison to the stronger lower walls.
He designed interiors like they were pieces of an enormous puzzle put together to reveal a story. At first glance the whole design can seem chaotic and confusing however, it reveals how the Victorians sought to re-awaken their cities.
Prior, E. S. (1974) History of gothic art in England. Wakefield: E. P. Publishing
Welcome to Keble college chapel - Keble college (no date) Available at: http://www.keble.ox.ac.uk/about/chapel (Accessed: 9 December 2015)
Welcome to Keble college chapel - Keble college (no date) Available at: http://www.keble.ox.ac.uk/about/chapel (Accessed: 9 December 2015)