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1829: Jonathan Martin: The destruction of York Minster
Jonathan Martin was the brother of John Martin, the English Victorian painter who specialised in
highly detailed large paintings of biblical doom. Martin's paintings
(several are owned by the Tate in London) depict ruined cities and thousands of
unfortunates consumed in a fiery hell as the earth opens, and swallows them up.
These works are often regarded as rather sterile illustrations of book of
revelations.
Jonathan obviously inspired by his brothers depictions crossed the line from
representation into reality and set fire to York Minster. He caused considerable damage to the organ,
choir stalls and roof (but not irreparable). For enacting one of his brothers
paintings he was sent to Bedlam (now Bethlehem Hospital), the infamous
prison/asylum.
During his time in Bedlam he produced this beautiful drawing entitled London's
Overthrow.
London's Overthrow, c.1830 Pen and ink on paper 66 x 58 cm Jonathan Martin
London's Overthrow was most recently enacted in Trafalgar Sq, London on March 31 1990, during the Poll
Tax Riots.
NB The official York Minster website calls him a madman, not an artist.
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