Evie Hone, Assumption of the Virgin Mary (1953), Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception, Mayfair, London.

Photo: Peter Hildebrand

Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception (Farm Street), Mayfair, London W1

Address

Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception, 114 Mount St, Mayfair, London W1K 3AH

Recommended by

Caroline Swash FMGP (10)

Highlight

West window of the Lourdes Chapel

Artist, maker and date

Evie Hone, 1953

Reason for highlighting

The three light window on the theme of the Assumption of Christ’s Mother is boldly drawn and draws strength from equally bold colours, while at the same time inviting deep contemplation. A remarkable window from one of the greatest stained glass artists of the twentieth century.

Other comments

Equally dramatic is Hone’s fine rose window above the west entrance door, where in one of Hone’s great visual essays, each part is a perfectly balanced, strongly coloured composition.

Evie Hone had submitted a design for another west end window, on the theme of St Ignatius, but died in 1955 before it could be completed. Her former student, Patrick Pollen completed the commission in 1964, taking inspiration from her design, while incorporating some of his own style.

A very different artistic style is seen in the east window (1912) by Hardman & Co. An exemplary window in the grand manner that is an absolute joy. However, as the window is set high up above the alter, the fine details are harder to see, so those with binoculars will be rewarded.

Further reading: The 100 Best Stained Glass Sites in London by Caroline Swash, Malvern Arts Press, 2015

Artist/maker notes

Eva Sydney ‘Evie’ Hone (1894-1955) was one of the leading stained glass artists of the twentieth century, yet she only turned to glass in the 1930s. By this time, her study of painting had given her a deep understanding of colour and design, that allowed her works to have an exceptionally powerful and direct dialogue with the viewer. She initially worked at An Túr Gloine before setting up her own studio, also in Dublin.

Sources:
Deirdre McMahon in Women in World History: A Biographical Encyclopaedia
Evie Hone on Wikipedia