Stained Glass Lunette from the Cornelius Vanderbilt II House, New York 1877 - 1882

This stained glass lunette was crafted by John La Farge for the Cornelius Vanderbilt II House in New York. Here, visual symbols weave through layers of cultural memory. Note the regal birds flanking the composition. Birds often symbolize the soul or spirit, a motif echoed from ancient Egyptian art to medieval Christian iconography. The bejeweled, bearded head centerpiece evokes images of ancient gods and kings, reflecting a fascination with classical antiquity and the Renaissance. Consider the recurring serpent motif at the base; It's a powerful symbol of both chaos and transformation, found in mythologies worldwide. Think of the Ouroboros, a snake eating its own tail, representing cyclical renewal. These diverse symbols, drawn from various epochs and cultures, engage us on a subconscious level. The lunette shows the non-linear progression of symbols, resurfacing and evolving in different historical contexts.