Window c. 1913

This leaded glass window was created by William Gray Purcell, an American architect working in the early 20th century. Its geometric abstraction aligns with the Prairie School style, an explicitly regional and progressive design movement that flourished in the Midwest. Here we see cultural references to the Arts and Crafts movement with the use of simplified forms and a focus on craftsmanship and functionality. But Purcell’s design also speaks to early modernist ideas about the essential structure of objects. The window is a celebration of geometric abstraction, reflecting a desire to break from traditional, ornamental styles. Architects like Purcell sought to create a uniquely American architectural aesthetic, one that was unburdened by European traditions. Purcell's career can be understood within the context of changing institutional structures in the early twentieth century. Exploring Purcell’s writing, drawings and architectural projects can allow us to understand how American architects were seeking to shape the built environment in a rapidly changing society.