Mary Isobel Wood, detail of east gallery window (1926), Lismore Parish Church, Isle of Lismore, Argyll & Bute.

Photo: Iain Galbraith

Lismore Parish Church, Isle of Lismore, Argyll & Bute

Address

Lismore Parish Church, Isle of Lismore PA34 5UL

Recommended by

Iain B Galbraith (10)

Highlight

East gallery windows of St Moluag and St Columba

Artist, maker and date

Mary Isobel Wood, 1926

Reason for highlighting

This is a powerful window without being overpowering. Strong figure drawing and a palette of quiet controlled colour. Moluag with staff and parchment – Columba with his doves fluttering – a coracle with sails. The sense of a Celtic twilight & a strange timeless quality, in keeping with this ancient parish church.

Other comments

This building is an interesting historical survival. In the 13th century Lismore was the centre of the new diocese of Argyll & work began to build a new cathedral, of which the parish church is a relic.

The church also includes two windows (1987) by Roland Mitton, who was Mary Isobel Wood’s post graduate apprentice.

Another good example of Mary Isobel Wood’s work can be seen at Priestfield Parish Church, Edinburgh (Four windows on the theme of ‘Trees of the Bible’, 1921)

Artist/maker notes

Mary Isobel Wood (1886-1975) was born and brought up in Edinburgh and trained under Alexander Strachan (1913-15), at Edinburgh College of Art, where she also taught for a brief period. She also worked in other media in addition to stained glass.

Source: Scottish Stained Glass Trust online database

Highlighted dates at this location

1926 (Go to date search)