Norwich Cathedral, Norfolk
Address
Cathedral Church of Holy and Undivided Trinity, Norwich NR1 4DHTheme
Overview
The great west window by George Hedgeland (1854) is the largest in the cathedral and since cleaning in the early 1990s makes a wonderful opening statement. However, the full joy of Norwich lies in its rich variety of both British and Continental glass. An example of the latter is a fine window showing St Brice, made of French glass of c.1600, in the south ambulatory.
The 19th century is represented by most of the major studios, in addition to the Hedgeland noted above.
In the 20th century, Moira Forsyth’s Benedictine window in the Bauchon chapel is one of her best. The fine lettering and lead work standing out. Also rather special are the six windows of the upper level of the north transept installed at the end of the century. They are unusual in combining the work of two artists, made many years part. The upper windows, made in the 1950s, come from St Stephen, Walbrook in London following a re-ordering, and are the work of Keith New. While the lower windows, and a little extra glass needed for the upper lights, from 1999, are by John Hayward.
Highlight
Three windows in the north aisleArtist, maker and date
Designed by John McLean and made by Devlin Plummer Stained Glass, 2014Reason for highlighting
These windows demonstrate the magic in the manipulation of light that is the very essence of stained glass. Visitors have been known to stay in front of them transfixed as they are washed in the heavenly light given off by the rich bold colours of these abstract windows.
Artist/maker notes
Devlin Plummer Stained Glass is based in Great Moulton, South Norfolk. The business was established by Terry Devlin and David Plummer, both of whom learnt their trade with Dennis King of G. King & Son, who was instrumental in developing many of the ideas and methods still in use today.
Source: Devlin Plummer website
John Talbert McLean (1939-2019) was largely self-taught as a painter, having studied English and History of Art at Edinburgh University and the Courtauld. Although an abstract painter, he did not see himself as independent of the natural world, with light being particularly important. The Norwich Cathedral windows were singled out as a personal favourite among his own work.
Comments by
Peter Hildebrand