Influences Thomas Willement

bellona, part of circa 1845 window thomas willement captain hon. charles louis maximilian fane de salis.

the great period of stained glass manufacturing had been period 1100 until 1500. after time, dissolution of monasteries under henry viii , destruction of church’s artworks puritans in parliamentary period, there little stained glass manufacture. few windows produced between 1500 , 1800 of painted glass in process colours applied brush surface of glass , fired anneal them, rather artist working numerous sections of coloured glass , piecing them together.

it has been claimed of willement through observations of old windows, reinvented ancient method of leading coloured pieces , integrating visually black lines created between colours lead cames design of window. observing 14th century windows such west window of york minster, willement developed artistic method of arranging figures 1 each single light, surmounted decorative canopy.

he further encouraged after 1839 in archaeological direction work took cambridge camden society promoted things medievalising in structure of new churches , restoration of old ones. willement encouraged society , received patronage of augustus welby northmore pugin, famous ecclesiastical architect , designer of churches. unfortunately willement suffered falling out pugin accused him of being mercenary. (pugin had fallen out first stained glass artist, willement’s pupil, william warrington.) possible style of willement s figures not sufficiently archaeologically correct satisfy pugin himself meticulous , elegant draftsman.

willement s bookplate in copy of remarks on seals attached letters barons of england pope boniface eighth in year 1301, respecting sovereignty of scotland, nicholas harris nicolas, fsa, london, 1826.