Stained Glass Window 1902 - 1905

This stained glass window was made by William Lightfoot Price, but we don't know exactly when. The process of making stained glass involves both careful planning and improvisation - you have to see how the light changes as it passes through. The design is spare, almost like a charcoal drawing. A dark figure stands in a landscape, holding a spear. It's like a flattened-out Cubist painting, or maybe even a cut-out. The figure is silhouetted, monumental and mysterious against the clear glass. I love how the lead lines meander, defining the forms with a kind of confident awkwardness. At the top there are a few little pieces of colored glass that make a single green and yellow leaf. This kind of design reminds me of Art Deco, where you see a similar interest in bold, simplified shapes and a stylized take on nature. You can almost imagine this window in a grand old movie theatre, setting the stage for a world of glamour and adventure. It's a really beautiful example of how art can be both functional and deeply evocative.