Reformation and Growth of The Hebrew Nation

Reformation and Growth

of The Hebrew Nation

1989 – Washington National Cathedral – Nave Clerestory

This is another window in which Rowan was charged to develop an expansive theme over a grand scale of time. It raises the question of composition within the total space that the window has to offer. There are in effect four separate chapters to the story that illustrates the struggles of the Hebrew nation and each of these gets one lancet in the window. Compare this to the calling of Peter window in which the entire window is used to tell one story with a massive net that spans across all four lancets. Once again we see how Rowan is putting his imagination to work to use the space available for telling the commissioned story.

This is one of four windows that were donated by cathedral friend and benefactor Hugh Trumbull Adams. This one, along with two others were given to honor the three branches of the US government so we have a coming together of church and state.

The other thing of note about this window is that it is one of two fabricated by Peter Mollica. Peter used to work for Boston based stained glass artist Chris Rufo and met Rowan while living on the east coast. He must have gained Rowan’s trust because after Peter moved to California Rowan asked him to help with a couple of the clerestory windows. Peter said that Rowan shipped him a selection of glass and the full-size cartoons. Peter cut the pieces and mocked up the window, and then Rowan came out to California to paint the glass. When Rowan was done, Peter fired the glass and then leaded the window. You can literally see Peter in this window as he was the model for the prophet Ezra in the right lancet.

Iconography

As the window chronicles the growth and reformation of the Hebrew nation, it also is meant to have parallels with the U S judicial system. On the far left King Solomon is, the builder of the temple, his hold high a model of his handiwork. In time however, Israel loses its way and the Torah is lost, only to be found again by Josiah in the center-left lancet. The temple is being rebuilt near the bottom of the center left lancet. In the center-right lancet, the temple again suffers the ravages of time as the weeds and the wind crack its foundations. In the far right the temple is rebuilt again and the priest and scribe Ezra holds high the Torah, the foundation of Judaic law. The parallel is with the US Constitution, which has needed its own cracks, mended over time. The inscriptions at the bottom are the first words of the Constitution and the US Supreme court is pictured in the multifoil on top.