Basílica de Fátima, Capela de S. José 1993

Eduardo Nery created this stained glass window for the Capela de S. José in the Basílica de Fátima using glass and lead. The dominant motif is the figure eight, comprised of intertwined circles. The circular motif resonates deeply, symbolizing totality, the infinite, and the cyclical nature of existence. Consider the ouroboros, an ancient symbol of a snake eating its tail, echoing the perpetual return, much like the seasonal cycles. The concentric circles draw the eye inward, evoking a sense of introspection and contemplation, a journey to the self that transcends the bounds of time. The juxtaposition of warm and cool colors emphasizes this cyclical movement, the eternal dance of light and darkness, life and death. The emotional resonance of this work lies in its ability to tap into these archetypal symbols. The circles, the colors, the composition – they all speak to something primal within us, a collective memory of the sacred. And so, the symbol of the circle continues its journey through time, ever evolving, forever renewing, reflecting our eternal quest for meaning.