Sir Eduardo Paolozzi, Millennium window in the south wall of the south transept (2002), St Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh.

Photo: Peter Hildebrand

St Mary’s Cathedral, Edinburgh

Address

St Mary’s Cathedral, Palmerston Place, Edinburgh EH12 5AW

Theme

The Cathedrals of the Scottish Episcopal Church (5)

Comments by

Iain Galbraith and Peter Hildebrand

Overview

The cathedral was designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott with inspiration taken from the early Gothic churches of Scotland, and was consecrated in 1874. The majority of the stained glass windows are from three large English studios. However, the most notable window is the Millennium window.

Highlight

Millennium window in the south wall of the south transept

Artist, maker and date

Reason for highlighting

This vibrant and contemporary window is the only work in stained glass by the leading artist Sir Eduardo Paolozzi. Sir Eduardo is quoted as saying that he paid “particular attention to the idea of reflecting deep religious experiences objectified or even immortalised in shapes and colour”, a task he successfully accomplished.

Artist/maker notes

Sir Eduardo Paolozzi (1924-2005) was a Scottish sculptor and printmaker whose large-scale public commissions transformed spaces including the British Library courtyard and the London Underground. His 1947 collage I Was A Rich Man’s Plaything, has retrospectively been deemed one of the first examples of Pop Art.

Source: Royal Academy Archive – Edoardo Paolozzi

Phoenix Glass of Edinburgh was established by Michael Fenton

Highlighted dates at this location

2002 (Go to date search)