Scotland: hidden mural discovered in Edinburgh church

mural before it was hidden

A mural by a renowned Scottish artist in a Jesuit church in Edinburgh has been attracting attention - even though it hasn't been visible for more 40 years.

Derek Clarke, who celebrated his 100th birthday last month and in whose honour an exhibition is being staged at the Royal Scottish Academy in Edinburgh, was commissioned in 1957 to create the huge mural on the arch above the high altar in Sacred Heart Church in Lauriston Street. Inspired by Italian murals he had seen on a recent art trip, Mr Clarke began work, incorporating parishioners of the time and members of his own family, as well as Saint Ignatius and Cardinal Gray, all dressed in fashion of the 1950s.

"It was surrounded by huge stations of the cross,' he says, 'so it had to be big and bold. Jesus is coming out of a tomb. He's rising up and his halo is in gold leaf … I had to climb into the organ loft to do that."

However, following the Second Vatican Council, the mural was covered over with lining paper, paste and then plaster in the 1960s and has remained out of view ever since. "I remember seeing it for the first time and recognising so many people we knew," said Barbara Conboy, a member of the church since the 1960s.

"But at that point in the 60s, there were a lot of changes. Altars were being turned around, priests were to face out, surroundings were simpler and possibly there was a decision that there was too much ornamentation in the church."

The current parish priest, Father Peter Scally SJ, says he is not sure if the hidden mural will ever be revealed. "It's not a hot debate in the parish but the way it's been covered means it's not been ruled out," he told BBC News Scotland.

At the age of 100, Derek Clarke is officially the oldest member of the Royal Scottish Academy of Art and Architecture. The exhibition of his works - excluding the mural at Sacred Heart Church - is being held at the Academy in Edinburgh until 31 January.

Source: Jesuit Communications