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-ARCHITECTURAL GLASS ARTIST
Holy Trinity Shanghai - Christ Windows
It would be good to have a space here before the images begin to explain
something about the project and including any information and so on, or even any comments about the work.
Holy Trinity Shanghai - Christ Windows
image set
Holy Trinity Shanghai - Christ Windows
Material - Lamberts Glass, mostly Flashed Glass
Technique - Extensive etching, painting and silver staining
Dimensions -
Explanation of the design concept.
I have tried to design a set of windows that in keeping with the style of the original windows from the 19th Cen and within this style, to interpret the themes selected by the church.
The style of work and the architectural elements, canopies and borders are taken directly from works made by the company who, I am fairly sure, made the original windows for the Holy Trinity in Shanghai.
John Hardmann and Co, London.
Please note that I have used a different canopy for the centre window as for the side windows.
Where possible and appropriate, I have re-interpreted figures from original windows by this company and built suitable compositions using these elements.
These three windows are probably the most important, in many respects, of all the windows in the building. I have given them a certain feeling of light and air that was not always the case in the period when the church was built. To achieve this, I have employed a slight alteration in the techniques used in 19th Century. I have worked with acid etching giving this a delicate lightness which I feel is appropriate to the themes and situation.
It was requested that the windows have a feeling of space and depth. The figure of Christ is on the same plane in each window forming a kind of triangle.
In the small trefoils above the windows in the apse, seven in all, I have created a set of angels playing music.
The background colour used here is the same as the colour used in the central window where Christ is ascending into heaven.
This ongoing project was made in collaboration with the Derix Studios in Germany where I have made many works over the last 20 years.
The style of work and the architectural elements, canopies and borders are taken directly from works made by the company who, I am fairly sure, made the original windows for the Holy Trinity in Shanghai.
John Hardmann and Co, London.
Please note that I have used a different canopy for the centre window as for the side windows.
Where possible and appropriate, I have re-interpreted figures from original windows by this company and built suitable compositions using these elements.
These three windows are probably the most important, in many respects, of all the windows in the building. I have given them a certain feeling of light and air that was not always the case in the period when the church was built. To achieve this, I have employed a slight alteration in the techniques used in 19th Century. I have worked with acid etching giving this a delicate lightness which I feel is appropriate to the themes and situation.
It was requested that the windows have a feeling of space and depth. The figure of Christ is on the same plane in each window forming a kind of triangle.
In the small trefoils above the windows in the apse, seven in all, I have created a set of angels playing music.
The background colour used here is the same as the colour used in the central window where Christ is ascending into heaven.
This ongoing project was made in collaboration with the Derix Studios in Germany where I have made many works over the last 20 years.
The Baptism of Christ
John the Baptist baptising Christ and the symbol of the Holy Spirit descending.
Christ is seen standing in the water and John, who is standing on a rock above him pours water from the traditional scallop shell.
Willow leaves were appropriate to this river setting The leaves on the left hand side of the window and the vegetation shown at the base of the window were typical of the glass painting of the original era.
I have created a sense of distance and depth by allowing the River to flow far into the background towards the mountains.
John.1
[6] There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
[7] The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
[8] He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
[9] That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
[10] He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
[11] He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
[13] Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.
[14] But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?
[15] And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
[16] And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
[17] And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
restore again the kingdom to Israel?
[7] And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.
[8] But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
[9] And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
[10] And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
[11] Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
Christ is seen standing in the water and John, who is standing on a rock above him pours water from the traditional scallop shell.
Willow leaves were appropriate to this river setting The leaves on the left hand side of the window and the vegetation shown at the base of the window were typical of the glass painting of the original era.
I have created a sense of distance and depth by allowing the River to flow far into the background towards the mountains.
John.1
[6] There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
[7] The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
[8] He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
[9] That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
[10] He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
[11] He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
[13] Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.
[14] But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?
[15] And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
[16] And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
[17] And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
restore again the kingdom to Israel?
[7] And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.
[8] But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
[9] And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
[10] And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
[11] Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
The Garden of Gethsemane
I have tried to make a full scene here, to include various aspects of the event of Christ praying in the garden of Gethsemane, the apostles sleeping and the Judas and the guards arriving to arrest Jesus. The city of Jerusalem in the background.
The Figure of Christ kneeling in prayer and the angel offering the chalice are in the in the foreground. There is a Passion Flower growing at the side next to where Christ is kneeling. There is an olive tree and a a lemon or the Citron tree (etrog), a fruit used in the Feast of Passover.
The use of the red glass gives a very dramatic effect to this composition.
Matthew
30] And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.
[31] Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.
[32] But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee...
Luke
[39] And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him.
[40] And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.
[41] And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,
[42] Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. [43] And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.
[44] And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
[45] And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow,
[ 46] And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.
[47] And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him.
The use of the red glass gives a very dramatic effect to this composition.
Matthew
30] And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.
[31] Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.
[32] But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee...
Luke
[39] And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him.
[40] And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.
[41] And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,
[42] Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. [43] And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.
[44] And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
[45] And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow,
[ 46] And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.
[47] And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him.