Photo – Peter Swanson

Easter

1989 – National City Church, Washington, DC

In this enormous church in downtown Washington, DC, there are two circular windows high up in the north and south walls of the narthex, as you enter the church.  This one is on the south side.  Here the reds and yellows work in harmony, while the blue and purple vines create a wonderful contrast.  All of these colors set off the white lilies in the center.  As is usual with Rowan’s work, the designs of both windows in this pair are well suited to their shape, with a central medallion and a wreath-shaped design surrounding the center of each circular window. Both windows are quite beautiful, but they are almost invisible as you walk through the narthex and into the church unless, of course, you look up.

Iconography

Here it is clear from both the window itself and from the notes on the initial painting of the two windows (see the Details section below) that this one has an Easter theme. A crown of thorns symbolizing the crucifixion of Jesus surrounds the central Easter lilies, which symbolize resurrection in their white purity.

Year Completed

1989

Artists

Rowan LeCompte

Fabricator

Rowan LeCompte

Location In Building

Narthex South Wall