Hebrew Women In The Bible

1998 – Washington National Cathedral – Nave Clerestory 

With Hebrew Women of the Bible as the subject of this window, Rowan made the bold and expensive choice to use pink glass as a dominant color.  Pink is one of the most expensive colors because as Rowan explains in the clip below, it is made with salts of gold.   These are not timid women that Rowan has illustrated and he also reveals in this clip his joy in creating this feisty band of biblical heroines. The window must have caused some consternation among the cathedral administration because although it was installed, it was not formally accepted until many years later which delayed Rowan’s last payment on the window. 

Iconography

Queen Esther is featured in the left lancet of this window.  Evidently there is a party and that is why she is carrying the wine jug. She has learned that the Prime Minister is plotting to hang the Jews and has warned the king.  The city she saved is at the top of the lancet and the gallows is ready for the evil Prime Minister at the bottom.  Judith is featured in the center-left lancet and she is carrying the head of Holofernes, an enemy Assyrian General.  Judith and her maid killed him and the maid is taking the head, in a bag, back to the Jews.  Myriam, Moses’ sister, is celebrating the Jews being liberated from the Egyptians in the center-right lancet.  The wise Judge Deborah is poised for battle in the right lancet.  She has been asked by an Israelite general to help lead his army.  In the multi-foil Miriam is watching her baby brother Moses float down river to the Pharaoh’s daughter.

Year Completed

1998

Artists

Rowan LeCompte

Fabricator

Dieter Goldkuhle

Location In Building

North Clerestory Bay 3