Royal Society of Chemistry, Piccadilly, London W1
Address
Royal Society of Chemistry, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London, W1J 0BATheme
Overview
Lawrence Lee (1909 – 2011) was one of the most distinguished stained glass artists of the 20th century. It is not surprising therefore that a number of contributors chose to include one of his windows in their selections. But there is much more to say and to celebrate about this wonderful artist.
A Theme has therefore been dedicated to the work of Lawrence Lee. The windows highlighted within the Theme have been chosen in conjunction with his son, Stephen Lee, to highlight some of his father’s best work.
A full list of the windows chosen can be found by following the link above or here. There you will also find two papers written by one of his former assistants, Philippa Martin, covering his life and his most famous achievement, the masterminding of the ten nave windows of Coventry Cathedral.
Highlight
A pair of staircase windowsArtist, maker and date
Lawrence Lee, 1967-68Reason for highlighting
As noted above, these windows are from a selection made in conjunction with Lawrence Lee’s son, Stephen Lee.
Stephen Lee comments “These two magnificent abstract windows are located opposite each other on the half-landings of an impressive staircase – one slightly higher than the other. They are made in glass applique and involve glass pieces of many different types stuck to sheets of clear glass, but the viewer is completely unaware of this. There is therefore no leading and no painting – the glass appears to float in space in an ethereal manner.
Although abstract, the windows have an underlying organisation which is basically geometrical. Circular motifs predominate, but there is contrasting use of triangular figures. In both cases the geometry is used with great freedom – the circle can become oblong or slightly distorted, and one window is dominated by a complex spiral pattern which defies analysis.
They are well worth a visit, and the Society is happy to allow access, but please make an appointment before you go.”
Artist/maker notes
Lawrence Stanley Lee FMGP (1909 – 2011) trained at Kingston Art School and the Royal College of Art before the war. After the war he worked for Martin Travers, and it was Travers’ unexpected death in 1948, which led to Lee forming his own studio. A wide range of commissions followed, including his famous windows at Coventry Cathedral, with Keith New and Geoffrey Clarke, which established his reputation. Lee was also a teacher both formally at the Royal College of Art, and in his studio to a succession of assistants. He was notable in acknowledging the contribution of his assistants by including their initials on windows, along with his own.
Other comments
Lawrence Lee was assisted in the making of the window by Janet Christopherson.