Gallery Edition – Orphreys of Copes; 1. St. George, Shield and Dragon ; 2. The Five Crosses with the Holy Name in the First. by Augustus Pugin – 44×59 Interior Architectural Study

Curatorial Narrative In Augustus Pugin’s “Orphreys of Copes,” we witness the artist’s masterful synthesis of medieval and Renaissance design principles. Executed in 1846, this work exemplifies Pugin’s technical virtuosity, as he employs a linear brushwork to evoke an intricate, lace-like quality. The palette, characterized by rich reds, emerald greens, celestial blues, and luminous golds, is tempered by the judicious use of white, which serves to heighten the overall sense of luminosity. Pugin’s medieval inclinations are evident in the ornate, Gothic-inspired forms that populate the composition, while his Renaissance sensibilities are manifest in the work’s rigorous spatial organization.When scaled up to 44×59 inches, “Orphreys of Copes” assumes a profound architectural presence, its chromatic structure and spatial depth coalescing to create a sumptuous, atmospheric weight. The palette, now amplified, takes on a sculptural quality,