Marking Sacred Ground through Imported Trees and Medieval European Sculpture at the Washington National Cathedral
Nathan Heavers
Abstract The landscape of the Washington National Cathedral contains a variety sacred objects imported from Europe and Asia. They include stone sculptures living flora. Many came collection George Grey Barnard, an American sculptor, trained in Paris, who travelled early 20 th century purchasing medieval antiquities (Weinberger, 1941). How do we understand these displaced pieces incorporated into this new context? On one hand, their use brings it significance, physical tangible connection to roots Christianity. other they remind us relative youth question what makes places sacred. Is place because something inherent or mark ordinary ground with significant sanctify it? Largely, seems demonstrate latter approach. Imported validate sacredness site archways pairs trees.
Acta horticulturae et regiotecturae