Dutch Church, London EC2
Address
Dutch Church, Austin Friars, London EC2N 2HARecommended by
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Commemorative window, west wall of the churchArtist, maker and date
Max Nauta, 1962Reason for highlighting
This vast west window tells the history of the Dutch Church in England. From its earliest days as the monastic priory of Austin Friars, to the granting of a royal charter for a ‘Stranger Church’ by Edward VI to the laying of the foundation stone of the post-war church in 1950 by the ten-year-old Princess Irene of the Netherlands.
The delightful depiction of Princess Irene includes her little shell bracelet, mary-jane shoes and white ankle socks.
With a sparkle of jewel-like colours in an unusual fusion of folklore, heraldry, symbolism, and allegory the wealth of detail is remarkable.
Artist/maker notes
Marten Ykes (Max) Nauta (1896-1957) was a Dutch painter and glazier. His Dutch studies were supplemented by a study trip to the Czech Republic, where he met leading artists such as Alphons Mucha, Max Svabinsky, who would fire an appreciation of Bohemian glass.
Nauta’s professional life would include many prestigious commissions, such as a portrait of Winston Churchill in 1955. In glass he shows a great sense of symbolism and allegory as well as an appreciation of the medieval masters in the use of a rich and vibrant colourpalette.
Other fine examples of his work in England can be found at the Church of St Andrew, Roxbourne, Harrow.
Source: Max Nauta on wikipedia.nl
Other comments
Splendid heraldic beasts guard William and Mary within Max Nauta’s window of 1954 commemorating the ‘Glorious Revolution’ on the north side of the stairs. While Mary may have the best eyelashes in the City of London, William undoubtedly has the best shoes!
Other treasures in the church include the Queen Wilhelmina window by the Dutch minister and stained glass artist, Piet Kok, 1966; two typical examples of the work of Hugh Easton; and some fine panels by William Wilson.