Portsmouth Cathedral, Hampshire

Address

Cathedral Church of St Thomas of Canterbury, High St, Old Portsmouth, Portsmouth PO1 2HA

Theme

Anglican Cathedrals in England (43)

Comments by

Peter Hildebrand

Overview

It is perhaps appropriate that a building that has been rebuilt and extended over many centuries should also contain windows with a similarly wide range of styles. Some 19th century work survives, but the damage cause by World War Two means there is especial interest in the post-war 20th century additions. Particularly notable are trio of World War II windows in the Chapel of Healing and Reconciliation. The first two, known as the Ramsey windows, are by Carl Edwards & Hugh Powell, 1955. The third window, by Carl Edwards alone, was unveiled in 1984.

Highlight

East window

Artist, maker and date

Christopher Webb, 1952

Reason for highlighting

Those familiar with the work of Christopher Webb may be surprised by his east window at Portsmouth Cathedral. He generally included plenty of clear glass since, as he said ‘the first purpose of a window is to admit daylight’. However, here the problem was glare so the design is on a blue background.

Artist/maker notes

Christopher Rahere Webb (1886-1966) was born into a family of artists. After school he enrolled at the Slade School of Art, before a year in France where he determined his future would be in glass painting. On his return he took articles with Sir Ninian Comper, whose approach chimed with Webb’s outlook. After war service Webb set up a studio in Guildford, before moving to St Albans after his marriage in 1926.

Source: The Stained Glass Windows of Christopher Webb by Henry Hinchcliffe, Mindelph Press. A PDF copy of the book is available here

Highlighted dates at this location

1952 (Go to date search)