An exhibition of medieval English art can teach us about today – and Brexit, write Andrew Hillier and David Redshaw
Intended or not, there is a timely message in the Paris exhibition of medieval treasures from the V&A (Paris exhibition aims to dispel myth of ‘primitive’ England in middle ages, 25 June). It is partly shameful, in that it reminds us of a time when, because of an uncompromising ideology, England’s artistic heritage was, according to the exhibition curator, James Robinson, “ruthlessly decimated” and, in the words of the 16th-century rector Michael Sherbrook, “it seemed that every person was intent upon … spoiling what he could”. And partly optimistic, in that it also reminds us that the ideology was succeeded by a more rational approach towards the arts and our culture more generally.
In testifying to “the rich and complex relationship” between France and England that Marie Lavandier of France’s National Monuments Centre refers to, could the exhibition reflect a desire on both sides of the Channel to end the systematic spoiling that continues to be inflicted by the Brexit ideology?
Andrew Hillier
London
