Southwell Minster, Nottinghamshire
Address
Cathedral and Parish Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Church St, Southwell NG25 0HDTheme
Overview
There is plenty to enjoy in this fine building. The best old glass is in the lower four lights of the east window (1523), which cames from the Temple church in Paris. It was given to the Minster in 1818.
Victorian glass is represented by a number major studios, including richly coloured panels in the nave by O’Connor, 1851 and later.
The last 30 years have seen a number of exciting additions. Following the installation of the Angel window, detailed below, Barley Studio was asked to create 16 new windows (1998) for the north and south transepts. The result was windows that while contemporary, use a timeless geometric design than harmonises perfectly with the 12th century Romanesque architecture. In 2009 one of these windows was subtly and entertainingly modified by Helen Whittaker to celebrate the bicentenary of the Bramley apple variety.
The most recent addition to the cathedral is a new World War One memorial window by Nicholas Mynheer installed in 2016.
Highlight
Angel window / West windowArtist, maker and date
Designer and glass painter Patrick Reyntiens and glass maker Barley Studio, 1996Reason for highlighting
Described accurately by the artist as “a great gathering of angels enjoying being with God; just all joy and worship”.* This inspirational contemporary window sits in perfect harmony with the medieval tracery. Like all great windows it ‘works’ in a variety of different lights, but is especially glorious on a mellow autumn afternoon, as the sunlight makes the angels sparkle.
More angels by Patrick Reyntiens can be seen close up in the passage way to the Chapter House.
* Patrick Reyntiens Catalogue of Stained Glass by Libby Horner (Sansom &Co, 2013)
Artist/maker notes
Patrick Reyntiens OBE (1925-2021) studied fine art at Edinburgh College of Art. He began his career in stained glass with an apprenticeship with Eddie Nuttgens, and flourished when he met and collaborated with John Piper.
Together they redefined the medium in the post war era, working on the Baptistery Window, Coventry Cathedral and Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral as well as numerous ecclesiastical and secular commissions in Britain and USA.
He has also been an influential teacher both through the arts centre he ran at Burleighfield House, with his wife, Anne Bruce, from 1963 to 1976, and through the 10 years he spent as Head of Fine Art at the Central School of Art and Design.
Sources:
Patrick Reyntiens website at patrickreyntiens.com
From Coventry to Cochem: The Art of Patrick Reyntiens, DVD, Reyntiens Glass Studio
Patrick Reyntiens Catalogue of Stained Glass by Libby Horner (Sansom &Co, 2013)
Barley Studio was established by Keith Barley MBE in 1973, and has an international reputation for excellence in stained glass creation and conservation for cathedrals, stately homes, parish churches and prestigious secular buildings across the UK and beyond.
Source: Barley Studio website
Comments by
Peter Hildebrand