About the Stained Glass Artwork
The artwork on display in the library shows various stages involved in crafting the beautiful stained glass windows designed by Charles J. Connick Stained Glass Company to adorn Nazareth Chapel.
Context
Within Nazareth Chapel, officially named the Annunciation Chapel (after the moment the angel Gabriel announced the coming of Christ to Mary and she accepted), there are 18 stained glass windows. These windows relate scenes from the Old and New Testaments. Old Testament scenes are located across the west wall and New Testament scenes along the east wall.
This particular stained glass window highlights events from the life of Mary according to apocryphal writings. The window consists of four images, each portraying a unique event in Mary’s life. These scenes read from top to bottom:
- A Full-Figure of Mary: Here Mary stands with an open book in hand and two angels on either side of her.
- The Presentation of Mary at the Temple: In the apocryphal book the Proto-Gospel of James, Mary is said to have been presented at the temple at age three in fulfillment of a vow of dedication made by her parents.
- Mary Spinning: In the Proto-Gospel of James, Mary is said to have spun the thread for the temple veil. This is what she is said to have been spinning when the angel Gabriel appeared to her.
- Mary Studying Scriptures: Here Mary is depicted studying the scriptures during her time at the temple.
The Artist
Charles J. Connick (1875-1945) was invited from Boston in 1921 to create a series of windows that would enhance the architecture of Nazareth Hall. According to Archbishop Dowling, who oversaw the construction of Nazareth Hall, Connick was chosen because “the finest buildings deserve the finest windows.” The Nazareth Hall building project was approved by the Vatican, utilized some of the finest artists of the day, and was completed on September 12, 1923.
Charles J. Connick has been called the greatest American stained-glass artist of the 20th century. His first independent window, constructed in 1910, generated enough profit for him to study in Europe and further refine his skills. During this travel period, Connick studied the effects of light on colored glass and creating windows of jewel-like radiance. By 1920, his Boston-based company was a thriving venture.
Connick first learned of the Nazareth Hall project from architect Charles Maginnis. The two were connected through the strong network of members at the Society of Arts and Crafts in Boston. The “medieval medallion” style windows located in the chapel of Nazareth Hall were designed by Connick, overseen by Orin Skinner, and worked on by many at Connick’s studio in Boston. This team was comprised of internationally known craft workers. Their skill in designing, painting, firing, and leading stained glass rivaled the work of the Middle Ages. Over the studio’s 74 years in business, closing in 1986, they created approximately 15,000 windows for over 5,000 commissions.
To learn more about how Nazareth Chapel was designed, read Dr. Mark Baden's blog post Designing the Dream of Nazareth Hall.