Panel
ca. 1434 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
This figure of St Laurence, identified by a Latin inscription and an iron grid - the instrument of the saint's martyrdom - once formed part of the scheme of an early 15th-century window behind the altar at the east end of a chapel. The panel exemplifies the high quality of glass-painting in the Gothic period. Using fine brushwork, artists were able to portray characters in a far more naturalistic manner than had previously been possible using the traditional method of leading pieces of coloured glass ('pot-metal') together.
Materials & Making
The painting of white glass with a yellow silver-based stain became widespread throughout Europe in the 15th century. Windows made in this way let through a great deal more light than the earlier 'pot-metal' windows. The 'seaweed' pattern of the background is also characteristic of the period. The design was painted onto the surface of coloured glass in black enamel with the foliage masked out - a technique called 'diapering'. The small dots visible in some places are corrosion caused by the exposure of the window back to weather.
Provenance
This panel and its companion piece depicting St Stephen, the first Christian martyr, came from the chapel at Hampton Court, Herefordshire. It is thought to have been built around 1434 by Sir Roland Lenthall, reputedly from the proceeds of booty he won during the Battle of Agincourt (1415). Whether the stained glass used to decorate the chapel's windows was original to the building is disputed, but it all seems to have come from the same workshop.
This figure of St Laurence, identified by a Latin inscription and an iron grid - the instrument of the saint's martyrdom - once formed part of the scheme of an early 15th-century window behind the altar at the east end of a chapel. The panel exemplifies the high quality of glass-painting in the Gothic period. Using fine brushwork, artists were able to portray characters in a far more naturalistic manner than had previously been possible using the traditional method of leading pieces of coloured glass ('pot-metal') together.
Materials & Making
The painting of white glass with a yellow silver-based stain became widespread throughout Europe in the 15th century. Windows made in this way let through a great deal more light than the earlier 'pot-metal' windows. The 'seaweed' pattern of the background is also characteristic of the period. The design was painted onto the surface of coloured glass in black enamel with the foliage masked out - a technique called 'diapering'. The small dots visible in some places are corrosion caused by the exposure of the window back to weather.
Provenance
This panel and its companion piece depicting St Stephen, the first Christian martyr, came from the chapel at Hampton Court, Herefordshire. It is thought to have been built around 1434 by Sir Roland Lenthall, reputedly from the proceeds of booty he won during the Battle of Agincourt (1415). Whether the stained glass used to decorate the chapel's windows was original to the building is disputed, but it all seems to have come from the same workshop.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Coloured, flashed and clear glass, painted with yellow stain and brown enamel |
| Brief description | Panel of clear and coloured glass with painted and stained details depicting St Lawrence. English, about 1434. Said to have come from Hampton Court, Herefordshire. |
| Physical description | Ogival-headed panel with figure of St. Lawrence under a crocketed canopy, holding a book in his right hand with a foliated cross on it. He holds a gridiron in his left hand. He wears a red dalmatic, banded with yellow with a yellow fringe. Yellow tonsured locks and at his feet there is an inscription. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | Scs Laurentius
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| Gallery label | British Galleries:
This panel came from the chapel at Hampton Court, Herefordshire. The image of St Lawrence was part of a monumental east window that included Apostles, an Annunciation and a Deposition (Christ being taken down from the Cross). The Christian martyr St Lawrence was traditionally shown with a grill, on which he is said to have been roasted to death.(27/03/2003) |
| Object history | From the chapel at Hampton Court, Herefordshire, probably built by Sir Roland Lenthall about 1434. |
| Production | from Hampton Court, Herefordshire |
| Summary | Object Type This figure of St Laurence, identified by a Latin inscription and an iron grid - the instrument of the saint's martyrdom - once formed part of the scheme of an early 15th-century window behind the altar at the east end of a chapel. The panel exemplifies the high quality of glass-painting in the Gothic period. Using fine brushwork, artists were able to portray characters in a far more naturalistic manner than had previously been possible using the traditional method of leading pieces of coloured glass ('pot-metal') together. Materials & Making The painting of white glass with a yellow silver-based stain became widespread throughout Europe in the 15th century. Windows made in this way let through a great deal more light than the earlier 'pot-metal' windows. The 'seaweed' pattern of the background is also characteristic of the period. The design was painted onto the surface of coloured glass in black enamel with the foliage masked out - a technique called 'diapering'. The small dots visible in some places are corrosion caused by the exposure of the window back to weather. Provenance This panel and its companion piece depicting St Stephen, the first Christian martyr, came from the chapel at Hampton Court, Herefordshire. It is thought to have been built around 1434 by Sir Roland Lenthall, reputedly from the proceeds of booty he won during the Battle of Agincourt (1415). Whether the stained glass used to decorate the chapel's windows was original to the building is disputed, but it all seems to have come from the same workshop. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | C.237-1931 |
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| Record created | April 28, 1998 |
| Record URL |
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