Matt Duman

The 3 amigos of 29th Street, New York City

Feeling a bit maudlin at “Maudlin” (Magdelen)

When Magdelen College was founded at Oxford in 1458, English speakers called Mary Magdalen “Mary Maudelayne”, dropping the ‘g’ sound. Later centuries saw the return of the ‘g’ sound. However, being staunch proponents of authenticity & tradition, the college keeps the Middle Age pronunciation.

“Hell hath the fury of a mason bored.”

St Chappelle, Ile de la Cité, Paris

We the people… of Canada!

Old City Hall, Toronto, ONT

Eale (pronounced “Yale”): a mythological creature used in heraldry.

Top: Old World “Eale” (Christ’s College, University of Cambridge, UK) Bottom: the New World “Eale” (Timothy Dwight College, Yale University, US)

A bite of the Big Apple in France. Light show at Notre Dame de Rouen.

“Just think,1000 years from now we can look up & see my very own gargoyle!” said Elizabeth Kimball on learning her gargoyle design was accepted at the Washington National Cathedral.

To which her smart-aleck son replied: “I would rather think that 1000 years from now we could look DOWN & see it!”

Washington National Cathedral, Washington DC

In the Spring, Handsome Dan takes out his “machine”… Its a real “jalopie” but also a nice “breezer”!

Stained glass, Sterling Memorial Library, Yale University

In 1638, Theophilus Eaton made an agreement with sachem Momauquin. In exchange for providing protection against other tribes, Eaton’s colonists would receive the title to land that would become New Haven, CT. As stipulated in the agreement, both parties agreed that this arrangement “would not later evolve into feelings of animosity, hate, or regret.”

Sterling Law Building, Yale University

The studious sort

Trinity College Chapel, Trinity College in Hartford Connecticut

A roaring hellfire is tempting on a cold French night!

Notre Dame de Rouen

No matter what the circumstance, this grotesque will always have the last laugh!

Corpus Christi College, University of Oxford, UK

Use Grotesque brand conditioner. Gives your gargoyle a thicker, fuller coat!

Eglise St Severin, Paris

It may look as though he is drooling, but he’s just doing his job.

Tour St Jacques, Paris

I would describe this grotesque as being “ear-ily” angelic!

St John’s College, Oxford

« Alors Gladys dit à Martha qu'elle a entendu Dottie dire à Mabel…. »

Gossiping since the 1400’s. Eglise Saint Séverin, Paris

Watching over our financial future (which explains a lot!). Grotesques turn up where you least expect them. Like these guys keeping watch over Nassau St in NYC’s Financial District!