In 1961 Redpath travelled to Lisbon. Inspired by the church of St Roque she turned her attention increasingly towards painting church interiors. As a child she had attended the Hawick Congregational Church and was fascinated by the ornamental trappings of the Catholic church. Although she was not religious, Redpath delighted in the rich colourings of gold, silver and purple, and in the precious decoration of altarpieces, as can be seen in this painting. Redpath’s church paintings mark a shift in both the character and style of her work. She commented on her ability to paint still life, saying ‘I couldn’t paint it smooth any more. I had to paint it as if it were some kind of encrusted jewel.’