Francis Eginton, east window (1797), Church of St Alkmund, Shrewsbury, Shropshire.

Photo: Peter Hildebrand

Francis Eginton, detail of east window (1797), Church of St Alkmund, Shrewsbury, Shropshire.

Photo: Peter Hildebrand

Church of St Alkmund, Shrewsbury, Shropshire

Address

Church of St. Alkmund, St Alkmund’s Square, Shrewsbury SY1 1UL

Recommended by

Steve Clare MBE FMGP ACR (10)

Highlight

East window

Artist, maker and date

Francis Eginton, 1794

Reason for highlighting

A rare survivor from the 18th century vogue for painting on glass based on easel painting. This is one of the finest examples, after Guido Reni’s Assumption of the Virgin Mary, and showcasing Eginton’s unusual multi layering technique.

A million miles from traditional stained glass technique, nevertheless rather beautiful. The cast iron framework was recently restored and re-gilded following the discovery of traces of the original gold leaf, adding to the sumptuous High Anglican feel of the chancel.

Other comments

Guido Reni’s painting of The Assumption of the Virgin Mary, c.1638/39 in the Alte Pinakothek, Munich can be seen here.

Artist/maker notes

Francis Eginton (1737 – 1805) had a varied career as an enameller, japanner, modeller and chaser, before embarking, in 1784, on his most successful career, as a glass painter in enamels. While celebrated in his day, his reputation was eclipsed in Victorian times by the revival of traditional leaded glass.

Source: Francis Eginton, designer and glasspainter by Mark Ellis on historywm.com

Highlighted dates at this location

1794 (Go to date search)

All artists mentioned at this location

Eginton, Francis