KING'S COLLEGE CHAPEL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19235, 26 January 1926, Page 11

KING'S COLLEGE CHAPEL

WAR MEMORIAL WINDOWS.

FOUR MORE LIGHTS COMPLETED SYMBOLISM OF THE DESIGNS. [from our own correspondent.] LONDON, Dec. 18. Already the public of Auckland have had an opportunity of studying the work of Mr. A. L. Ward, who is responsible for the window? of the King's College Memorial Chapel. Four other lights are now ready to forward to New Zealand. The one completes the chancel group, and the others constitute the window of the south transept. The general effect of these windows is most pleasing, and Auckland City may well be congratulated in taking a lead in this particular branch of art. It should not be forgotten that there is a world of difference between what might be called commercial windows and those produced by the artist himself. In the former case there are several designers, there are specialists in various colours, and tradesmen carry out the glass-cutting and the baking. Tht result is far different from that which is taken through practically all the processes by the artist himself. In the latter case we are getting back to the methods of the old monks, whose whole life was spent in the work, and who put something of their individuality and spiritual fervour into the pictures produced. The windows of King's College Chapel havs been produced by one man, with an assistant for the more mechanical tasks, and in that respect they are unique. .

Tho one light completing the chancel windows lias for its subject, "Christ's coming to judge the quick and the dead." The Master is shown crowned with an Imperial crown, and holding in His left hand the Orb of Power. Above is the Glory of Heaven streaming down from God, Whose name is written on high in Hebrew characters. The Holy Spirit in the form of a dove hovers over our Lord. Angels hold the Cross, and accompanying angels form the oval frame

used only around the form of Christ.

The Virgin Mary, clothed in a blue robe, is kneeling 0:1 a cloud below, in an attitude of supplication for the sinful. The single star above her is an allusion to her Jewish name. '"'Miriam," "Star of the Sea," and the 12 stars of her nimbus allude to the text o f the Apocalypse. St. John the Baptist, the Harbinger, kneels on the left-hand side of the Master.. The Dragon, symbolical of sin arid death, lies dead at the foot of the Cross among plants signifying the vices. In its mouth i:; a branch of quince, symbolical of temptation. Below in the base is an inscription: "To all the others." On other windows of the chancel are the names of a number killed in the war. "To all the others" is in reference to those whose names are not on the other windows, but on the bras? plate below tne windows. In the traceiy L a Latin inscription chosen by the Rev, 11. D. A. Major, D.D., of Ripon Hall: "He shall reign for ever and ever." Rev., XI., 15. It* one would make a study of the art of the glass painter, there is ample opportunity in the group ol "The Transfiguration." Here may be seen the blending of colour, the continuity in the use of colour and shade throughout, the whole picture, the proper balance of tints, the use of the richest rubies in juxtaposition with the white lights, the periect treatment of the human form, and the economic use of every figure. Every colour, every figure, every liue has a meaning. It is a devotional picture, not painted to represent a scene so much as to inspire religious feeling. It is a glorified appearance of our Lord with Moses and Elias talking to him, as He was manifested to His three most trusted disciples. This south transept window has been presented by Mr. V. J. Larner, of Auckland, in memory of his son, Gordon Harrison Larner, who was killed on October 7, 1916.