Deep cracks have developed in a large angel figure etched into the iconic west screen at Coventry Cathedral, following an incident during the setup of a music event in May. The screen, a celebrated work featuring 66 larger-than-life saints and angels created by engraver John Hutton, is widely regarded as a significant 20th-century artistic achievement.
The damage occurred on May 22 while the Illuminated Orchestra was preparing for a concert of “dark fantasy film music.” According to Kellija Moncaka, the cathedral’s music director, the cracks resulted from a ladder being accidentally knocked against the glass by a gust of wind. Cathedral staff promptly covered the affected panel after the incident.
The west screen, commissioned by architect Basil Spence, is an integral part of Coventry Cathedral, which incorporates the remains of a 14th-century structure destroyed during the Second World War. The building’s unique blend of historic ruins and modern design has made it a landmark, and Hutton’s engraved panels have been praised for their scale and innovation. Jennifer Alexander, a professor of architectural history at Warwick University, described the panels as groundbreaking at the time of their unveiling.
The cathedral’s acting dean, Canon Kate Massey, confirmed the damage, characterizing it as a distressing accident. She stated that the panel will undergo specialist restoration later this year. The cathedral is currently consulting experts to guide the repair process.
Concerns have been raised about the risks posed to historic architecture by outside events hosted at cathedrals, which have become an important source of revenue. Louise Campbell, a leading authority on Coventry Cathedral, expressed unease over the increase in such events and cautioned about their potential impact on fragile artworks. In communications with colleagues, Campbell suggested that the damage might have been downplayed in public statements, possibly due to its connection with revenue-generating activities or lapses in supervision. She has called for a pause in the events program while measures to protect Hutton’s screen are evaluated.
The incident is not isolated. In 2020, another panel of the west screen was shattered during a burglary when two men threw a brick through the glass and stole a charity collection box. The repeated damage underlines the vulnerability of Coventry Cathedral’s treasured features as it balances preservation with hosting public events.