Almquist, Carl

Carl Almquist and Shrigley & Hunt, Adoration of the Lamb (1887), Church of St Wilfrid, Grappenhall, Cheshire.
Photo: Peter Hildebrand

Carl Almquist (1848–1924) was born in Sweden, but fulfilled his ambition to work in stained glass in Britain. Thanks to a local benefactor in 1870 Almquist came to London to train with Henry Holiday. At the same time he had access to Powells, Heaton, Butler & Bayne and Burlison & Grylls, as well as occasionally helping Harry Ellis Wooldridge. His talent was spotted by Arthur Hunt, who in 1876 persuaded him to join his new venture, Shrigley & Hunt, in Lancaster, so starting a long and fruitful collaboration.

After arriving in Lancaster, Almquist continued his training at Lancaster School of Art, but keen to learn more soon wished to return to London. Hunt recognising his talent supported the move by opening a London studio, which proved to be a successful business move. The collaboration drew to a close when , with failing eyesight, Almquist retired to Hove in 1920.

Sources:
Stained Glass from Shrigley & Hunt of Lancaster and London by William Waters (Centre for North-West regional studies, 2003)
Damozels & Deities Pre-Raphaelite Stained Glass 1870-1898 by William Waters and Alastair Carew-Cox (Seraphim Press Ltd, 2017)