Photo – Peter Swanson

Della Robbia Nativity

1955 –Church of the Nativity and Holy Comforter, Baltimore, MD

In the early 1950s, The Church of the Nativity, now the Church of the Nativity and Holy Comforter, was undergoing a major renovation to accommodate a growing population.  As the new structure was nearing completion, Rowan and Irene were commissioned to create a rose window over the altar.  The instruction of the donors, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Price, was that the window was to be based on the traditional della Robbia style. Lucas della Robbia was a Florentine sculptor in the 1400s and his Nativity(c. 1460), with Mary on the right and Joseph on the left, has been copied and adapted many times over the years. 

Using this composition as their inspiration, Rowan and Irene created this beautiful window.  It is hard for a photograph to capture its luminescence, but it is truly a jewel in the front of the church.  The faces of Mary and Joseph are tender and loving as they gaze upon the Christ child.

You can learn more about Rowan’s Maryland windows in an article in Extra Magazine, Decemer 30th, 1973.

Iconography

This is a traditional Nativity scene, featuring the Holy Family with the star of Bethlehem shining over them. The flames of  Joseph’s torch evoke the image of Jesus as the Light of the World, and the greening branches below Jesus and Joseph recall the prophecy in Isaiah 11:1 that “there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots.”  A floral della Robbia-style wreath with fruit adorns the edges of the window.

Year Completed

1955

Artists

Rowan LeCompte

Irene Matz LeCompte

Fabricator

Rowan LeCompte

Irene Matz LeCompte

Location In Building

East Wall Over The Alter