February 2006
Full size: 2 metres x 5 metres
Design: R. W. Coomber
Click image to see full size
A new stained glass window designed and manufactured for St. Andrew's Shared Church, Keighley. The window combines contemporary handling with one of the most famous Victorian religious images. The window's donor wished to see the Pre-Raphaelite painting, 'The Light of the World' recreated in stained glass.
The original painting by William Holman Hunt was finished in 1853 and was one of the major works of his career. After it's first exhibition in 1854 the painting became hugely popular. It was reproduced in prints, engravings and book illustrations. Poetry was written about it and many versions of it in stained glass appeared across the country.
The Keighley window is made of three lights. 'The Light of the World' forms the centrepiece, complemented on either side by scenes displaying other 'I am...' scenes of Jesus. The left light shows the healing of the man born blind (from John 1:5) with the Pool of Siloam in the background. The right light illustrates the phrase 'I am the Good Shepherd...' (John 10:11) The phrases 'I am the true Vine' and 'I am the Bread of Life' are represented by images of grapes and wheat. 'I am the Alpha and Omega' (Revelations 1:8, 21:6 and 22:13) is shown in the symbols flanking the Dove of the Holy Spirit.
The window was executed in richly coloured handmade glass and enhanced with bold glass painting. The glass painting style is contemporary and fluid. The aim was to retain the freshness and immediacy that Holman Hunt brought to his original work and, like the painting, to inspire reflection and contemplation.
'I am the Light of the World'
'The healing of the man born blind at the Pool of Siloam'
'I am the Good Shepherd'
The window in the context of the Church