I keep reading that Henry Holiday of London was noted for his execution of drapery, i.e. the fall of cloth, around his figurative subjects; that it was a style reminiscent of Dante Rosetti. I do love the intricate layering of cloth in these scenes from his stained glass window, The Transfiguration (1878), but it is the hands I particularly notice at present. As promised in an earlier post, here is a bit more about the artist and his creation.
Henry Holiday was born in London in 1839. His talent for drawing set him on an early artistic path where he would be influenced by Pre-Raphaelites like Burne-Jones, William Morris and Dante Rosetti. Over time, he would develop his own unique style. He traveled the world as many an artist of that period did. Trips to locales like Italy and Egypt influenced his illustration, painting, sculpture and his work with stained glass. Read more about his diverse interests and artistic expressions in this wikipedia article.
During his lifetime, Holiday did quite a bit of work for American churches, and that’s why I’ve been lucky enough to view and photograph his window, The Transfiguration, at Trinity Church in Copley Square, Boston.
The window depicts a moment described in the New Testament. The basic story is that Jesus and three of his apostles, Peter, James and John, traveled up a mountain to pray. There Jesus begins to shine like the sun, his clothes becoming white as snow. The prophets Moses and Elijah appear at his side and talk with him. Eventually “a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces with awe. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.” And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. …” (Matthew 17:1-92, Mark 9:1-9; Luke 9:28-36; 2 Peter 1:16-18).”
There are a lot of great resources online about the significance of this moment in Christianity and its various interpretations. If you’re in Boston’s Back Bay, view Holiday’s window firsthand, especially when the sun is shining bright. Postcards and prints available in the Trinity Book Shop with shipping available worldwide.
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