Medieval Artist in 1861?

[Judy B.]

Hi,

On the 1861 census I have a 27 year old man that lists his occupation as Medieval Artist.

Would anyone know what this may have involved?  If you google medieval art, there isn't much for this for c. 1861 time period.

He ended up becoming a Franciscan 4 years later.

Thanks.

Judy

[Jones the Search]

Hi Judy,
Could it be Medical Artist perhaps? A person who draws for the purposes of Anatomy.
Patricia

[PrueM]

Hi Judy,
Can you give us the man's name, and/or the page reference?   Might help to have a look at the image and see if we can work it out.
Prue

[griz]

Perhaps he was a restorer of mediaeval art? (what there was left of it after  the horrible vandalism  ordered by Henry VIII)

[Judy B.]

Hello,

I am open to any and all suggestions.  Restoration would be a possibility, one I hadn't thought of.

The man's name is William P. Wood.  The census is RG9/2988, Folio 81, page 20.  He is living with his mother and a niece.

I have puzzled over this for some time and the occupation looks to be medieval artist, but there is a squiggle before the "e".  Maybe it is medical artist, I don't know.

In 1851 he was a draughts man and 1871 he was a priest.  Neither census gives a clue to the 1861 occupation.

Thanks again.

Judy

[griz]

I don't have the census to look it up.

I hope someone who has a copy/access can give you another opinion but I think it is most likely  'medical artist.'
 Can you post a copy of the problem words?

Of course he may have been restoring old mediaeval works in churches and  found his calling to the priesthood there.

[Joburg]

Hi,
   Looks like it should read 'medieval artist'.Looks like the writer did an 'ae dipthong'.Wow! big word for early in the morning.

Regards

Joburg

[PrueM]

big word for early in the morning.

   Well done Joburg 

Yes, it definitely looks like Mediaeval Artist.  Also seems to say "& 3 others" afterwards, but not quite sure about that.  Perhaps as griz suggests, he was involved with restoring churches (the Victorians were very much interested in all things medieval) or with reproducing medieval paintings from old churches (alot of recording of wall paintings was going on at that time).  Who knows - but he sure must have been impressed, as he went into the priesthood soon afterwards!

Clip posted below, for reference and interest.

Cheers
Prue

[meles]

Definitely mediaeval artist. His neighbours are skilled craftsmen - a carpenter and an architect's assistant. It was about this time churches were being restored after decades of neglect, and the old gothic style was becoming fashionable. So it does make sense.

Also there was a revival of Anglo-Catholic religion, and I am sure this is reflected in his move from church art to the monastery.

meles