Job

1985 – Washington National Cathedral – Nave Clerestory

This is another very powerful window that is almost painful to look at. The figure of a tormented Job is grieving in a sea of tombstones, the of victims of war. What a challenge it must have been for Rowan to imagine how to depict this heroic figure who never lost his faith in the face of tremendous suffering. In this bright red skeletal figure we see not only Job, but the suffering of all humanity. This window was given by the American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary and for Rowan, who served in the army during World War II and saw his share of misery, designing the graves of all these war victims must have been an especially moving assignment. He was assisted in the painting by Richard Avidon and the detail in the painting and crosshatching is exquisite.

The window is also striking for its bright red color. Richard also selected the glass for this window. Mary Higgins says that, “Rowan found a different kind of partner in artist Richard, who usually worked at Mel Greenland’s studio since they were both in NYC. Richard’s color selections contain subtle transitions across the entire window.” Richard said it was a thrill to walk into the offices of New York glass dealer S.A. Bendheim and place a large order for glass. He said he could walk through the warehouse and explore the racks for French, German and English hand-blown glass and almost not worry about the cost. Richard also said that this thrill was tempered by a sense of fear that he was making the right choices, as Mel Greenland’s studio would be responsible for the cost of replacing the glass if Rowan did not like what Richard had picked out.

Photo – Peter Swanson

Iconography

The suffering of Job is the main theme in this agonizing window. Because the window was given by a veterans organization, there is also a special emphasis on the suffering of all those who suffered and died in the field of battle. Both Jewish and Christian gravestones are represented. Near the top of the center-right lancet, God is seen carrying a child, a symbol of hope for the future. In spite of his suffering, Job keeps an eye on this vision imagining better days ahead. The multifoil at the top represents three Hebrew men surrounded by fire, but protected by an angel. At the bottom of the center-right lancet is the dedication to all veterans, along with the phrase, ”The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away.”