Robert Anning Bell and J. & W. Guthrie & Andrew Wells, detail of The Flight into Eygpt, St Margaret's Parish Church, Dalry, North Ayrshire.

Photo: Iain Galbraith

St Margaret’s Parish Church, Dalry, North Ayrshire

Address

St Margaret’s Parish Church, The Cross, Dalry KA24 5AW

Recommended by

Iain B Galbraith (10)

Highlight

The Flight into Egypt, south transept west wall

Artist, maker and date

Reason for highlighting

This window is one of four Anning Bell designed for the church. It is a departure from the usual Flight into Egypt genre. Here are worried and anxious parents in a hurry on their way to Egypt. Joseph’s bright lantern light the way ahead and a very natural looking sleeping child lies in Mary’s arms, the child’s little arms lying loose, and a most marvellous donkey trots along. The palette is nocturnal and subdued, with the contrast being Joseph’s bright lantern.

Other comments

Notable other windows in the church by Guthrie & Wells are

Charles L Davidson’s World War I memorial, 1925, with a miniature cameo – To Cambrai – showing the realism of the violence of war
Charles Paine’s Christ Stilling the Storm, c.1921-3, and
Nina Miller Davidson’s, Women of the Bible, 1953

More recent is a complex and different Creation window by Rona Moody, 2006.

Artist/maker notes

Robert Anning Bell (1863-1933) was a British painter, sculptor, designer, illustrator, and teacher. He was born in London and his studies included time at Westminster College and the Royal Academy Schools. Later he combined his design work with teaching, including time at the Glasgow School of Art and Royal College of Art.

Source: Robert Anning Bell on Wikipedia

J & W Guthrie & Andrew Wells was formed in 1899 as the successor to J & W Guthrie. This remained the firm’s name until the early 1960s, when it became Guthrie & Wells. Andrew Wells had previously worked with Daniel Cottier, becoming one of his chief assistants, before spending sometime in Australia with Lyon, Cottier & Co. in Sydney.

Sources:
Glasgow School of Art archives – Guthrie and Wells Ltd
Mackintosh-architecture – University of Glasgow catalogue