Newcastle Cathedral, Tyne & Wear
Address
Cathedral Church of St Nicholas, St. Nicholas Sq, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1PFTheme
Overview
An interesting collection begins with a fine 15th century roundel set in the east window of St Margaret’s Chapel. Otherwise the cathedral mainly has late 19th century and 20th century glass. The former includes the east window, 1860, by the hugely successful local studio of William Wailes. The latter includes a fine example of the work of Caroline Townsend, on the theme of northern saints in the north choir aisle, 1907, and an abstract window by Stanley Scott Murray, north transept, 1971.
A fine recent addition is the Danish window in the north wall of the chancel by Mike Davis, 2002. It commemorates the lives lost by Danish seamen based on Tyneside. It is a perfect complement to the adjacent window by Leonard Evetts, 1962, where the symbols of the Passion are set in clear glass with strong leadlines.
Highlight
East window of the Chapel of the AscensionArtist, maker and date
Leonard Evetts, 1963Reason for highlighting
The Chapel of the Ascension in the south aisle is dominated by a five light window by Leonard Evetts. The outer lights are on Old Testament themes, while the Ascension of Our Lord occupies the middle lights. The whole composition is drawn together by a huge chalice that extends across all five lights. The restricted colour palette, beautiful glasses and elegant glass painting are typical of Evetts, most of whose work can be found in the north-east.
Artist/maker notes
Leonard Evetts (1909-97) was born in Newport, Monmouthshire and studied at the Royal College of Art, including the study of stained glass under Martin Travers. In a working life of over 60 years he was an exceptionally prolific stained glass artist. He was also a calligrapher, painter, author and teacher, historian and conservationist, but above all a designer.
Source: Leonard Evetts, master designer, (Privately printed, Leonard Evetts Estate, 2001)
Comments by
Peter Hildebrand