Beyond the Glass: Art Analysis

Our Vision of God’s Universe: Backstory

Washington D.C. exposed me to a vast array of beautiful works of arts, from awe-inspiring sculptures that line the National Mall and Harbor, to the collections and galleries of the Smithsonian. Therefore, I had an impressive selection of art that I could choose to analyze, but I wanted to step away from the well-known works found in our nation's capital. I wanted to highlight a piece that I feel some may not know exists, or if they did, have not gotten the chance to see its beauty. 

While standing in the nave of the grand Washington National Cathedral, I gazed upon an assortment of gorgeous stained glass windows. Many maintain tradition, depicting important figures and events within the bible. However, one is unique in its purpose, for it does not represent religion; rather, it stands to represent mankind’s quest to understand its purpose in the universe. This is the Scientists and Technicians Window, otherwise known as the “Space Window.” As someone who loves astronomy, the window will always have a lasting impact on me. I believe it perfectly portrays the wonder and awe that the heavens above have provided mankind for centuries.

The history of this glass is just as important as the image it presents. Commissioned by Francis B. Sayre Jr., the progressive cathedral dean wanted to bridge the worlds of theology and science, while adding uniqueness to the already extraordinary American gothic church. The artist, Rodney Winfield, went through a long arduous process to have his piece accepted. Facing strict parameters from NASA and the church, both physically and visually, Winfield’s work went through eleven revisions. NASA wanted historical depiction of the legendary aircraft and heroes who embarked on the perilous journeys through space. The cathedral focused more of the size of the window, ensuring if matched the uniform fit of other windows in its nave. Frustrated, Winfield threw all convention to the side, choosing to use basic art elements to express the vastness, but tranquility of space, all the while allowing him to have a powerful image that could easily fit within the churches’ strict measurements. Finally, both parties agreed on the new design and installed the window on the fifth anniversary of the Apollo moon landing, July 21, 1974. (Blitz).

Through Light, the Story is Told: Analysis

Only when the sun shines through the window, can you truly appreciate its symbolism for our journey amongst the stars. The glass uses a colorful dance of sweeping lines, celestial bodies, and deep colors to paint the universe before our eyes. For me, I feel the art elements featured in this work are:

Lines – There is an abundance of straight, lead bead lines throughout the work and normally these would elicit the feeling of strength and stability; however, I feel the artist did not want much, or any, of the viewers’ attention drawn towards them. Their placement coincides with many other windows found at the cathedral, that being straight lines mark where one panel had ended, and another added to complete the image. Rather, the line I feel the artist wanted us to focus on were the elegant, curved lines that produce semicircles around the celestial bodies, and the spiral found at the center of the largest one. Traditionally, artists use these to elicit a sense of comfort or ease from the viewers, and though I agree, I feel the artist used these to illustrate the cosmic energy that radiates from each body. Within the semicircles, jagged scribbles of brilliant white light encircle the core, further exemplifying the power that emanates from these giants.

            Finally, there is a small white line the traves between two of the celestials, and as the Nation Cathedral details on their website, represents a small, manned ship. I feel that this thin, white line is the delicate dance we must do to reach our destination; we are just small creature trying to explore the vastness of the universe around us. 

Shapes – Scientifically, circles are the ideal shape to handle the gravitational stresses found in the void of space. No hard edges allow the objects to disperse the load across its surfaces. In art, circles denote continuous movement, and I believe that applies here, even if the artist used circles just to be planets. Matter, something not created nor destroyed, always continuous cycling through the being of the universe and through us. At the center of the largest circle is the spiral I mentioned earlier, and to me, this is the source of movement – the endless trek of space. Among the planets are numerous stars, varying in size, littered throughout the window, their placement appearing to be random and chaotic. However, the composition of all these shapes does a great job demonstrating the expertise of the universe. What looks like chaos to us, is actually a perfected dance that our science is still trying to understand and replicate.

            Shapes help create pictorial space, the illusion of the 3-Dimension; the window uses pictorial space to create the illusion of one looking into the void. As I look at this work, I can see subtle overlapping of planets and stars, which with the bluer hues in the background, establishes linear perspective and helps direct your eyes to the to red celestial body and spiral.

Color – Perhaps the most breathtaking feature of the window is its awesome use of color. As I have mentioned, the artist used dark blue hues to aid in creating the sense of linear perspective. Historically the following colors, featured heavily in the window, conveyed these emotions: red for passion, blue for God(s) and the heavens, green for growth, purple for rarity, and white for purity and peace. I wanted to define the meanings of these colors, because much of my emotions felt when viewing this work are the same. The red plant, featured in the center of the entire window, represents our passion – its mankind’s goal to find the source of the universe. The dark blue hues, surrounding all celestial bodies, are the heavens we look up to and the depth of space waiting our exploration. Green and purple makes up other three planets, signifying their rarity as none are the same and their continuous growth through the ages. Finally, the stars, the objects we have always look to for guidance in travel and within our spiritual life. Purity in its truest form, untouched by any corruption that may stem from man’s heart. They continue to guide the small spacecraft that travels on the thin, white line near the red giant. Their journey is just as peaceful and pure as the stars, as their quest is not for war and greed; but, to unite us all as one – as mankind.

           

 Texture – I have saved this element for the end, as I believe it leaves the greatest impression upon the viewer. Winfield only used one item to integrate texture into the window, a single 7.18 gram basalt rock – a three billion year old artifact from the surface of our Moon. (Eckstrom). Situated at the center of spiral, it stands as testament to us achieving our first momentous goal in space, to place one of our own on the surface our lunar satellite. This is the most awe-inspiring part for me, the disbelief that such an unassuming mineral rock travelled 239,000 miles to call our nation’s capital home for the foreseeable future. Beyond that, it shows me that can do it, that we can push into the depths of space and reach the stars our ancestors could only observe.

“Man’s search will not be denied.” (Safire) Conclusion

            As a child I dreamed of being an astronaut, I wanted to reach worlds unseen and chart the darkest seas of space. As I aged, I found medicine and service to be my callings, being able to help my fellow man on their darkest day, yet I found myself longing for the stars. I can only assume my yearning to go to space comes from my desire to help those who cannot help their selves. The quest for understanding is all of ours to embark on, but some cannot, and the crew of Apollo 11 did the first leg for us, bringing back that small 7.18 gram rock as a trophy for you and me to be proud of. That window inspires me to preserve my dream to voyage to the stars, to reach our unified goal and bring back a trophy for us all.

References

 

Unknown, Unknown. “Stained Glass: History and Technique (Article).” Khan Academy, Khan Academy, 2022, https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/medieval-world/gothic-art/beginners-guide-gothic-art/a/stained-glass-history-and-technique.

 

Blitz, Matthew. “The Story behind the 'Space Window' at D.C.'s National Cathedral.” Atlas Obscura, Atlas Obscura, 16 July 2019, https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/space-window-national-cathedral-history#:~:text=A%20souvenir%20from%20that%20mission,halfway%20through%20the%20cathedral's%20nave.

 

Unknown, Unknown. “The Visual Elements of Art.” Art Appreciation - Understanding Art and Artists, 2022, https://www.artyfactory.com/art-appreciation.html.

“Space window.” Edited by Eckstrom, Kevin, Washington National Cathedral, 25 Apr. 2016, https://cathedral.org/what-to-see/exterior/space-window/.

 

Safire, William. “In Event of Moon Disaster.” National Archives and Records Administration, National Archives and Records Administration, 15 Aug. 2016, https://www.archives.gov/presidential-libraries/events/centennials/nixon/exhibit/nixon-online-exhibit-disaster.html.