Murals
home > virtual tour > floorplan > Murals
In the early church, few people owned personal copies of books including the Bible. To augment oral and written teachings of God's plan of Salvation, the early church turned to art. Art possesses the power to both instruct and inspire. Because of art's effectiveness, a rich tradition of painting, stained glass, and statuary was born.
Murals in the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist make up a collection which is second to none in the southeastern United States. Father Geoffry F.X. Schadewell ordered the murals as part of the Cathedral's renovation in the early 20th century. Christopher P.H. Murphy, a local Savannah artist planned and directed the mural development and placement. Paul Gutsche and a team of artists in New York painted the renaissance-style pieces which were sent to the Cathedral for installation. The style of art reflects the American Renaissance period of 1876-1914. The murals were installed and viewed for the first time by the public when the Cathedral re-opened in May 1912.
As in other art forms, murals are often filled with symbols which convey messages to the informed viewer. One universal symbol used, for example, is a halo which indicates holiness. Another frequently used symbol in the Cathedral's murals is the olive branch which suggests a particular saint was martyred for steadfast, unwavering, and courageous faith. Other symbols are associated with a particular saint. One example is St. Agnes who is often shown holding a lamb which symbolizes her purity. Another example is St. Peter who is associated with a set of keys which relate to his receiving the "Keys to the Kingdom" according to the New Testament passage Matthew 16:19.
Located on the northeast transept wall, the signature of the Muralist Paul Gutschhe is visible in the lower right corner of the painting of the Sermon on the Mount.
