SUFFER THE LITTLE CHILDREN
Brief description: Stained glass panel from the centre light of a window depicting scenes from the Ministry of Christ.
‘Suffer the Little Children’, or ‘Christ Blessing the Children’ was a popular biblical subject, demonstrating Christ’s benevolence towards children. This stained glass panel was part of a large three-light window depicting scenes from the Ministry of Christ, with the good works of saintly figures below. This panel shows Jesus amongst a group of women and their children. Jesus is dressed in a red robe, and has a turquose cruciform halo. Jesus carries an unclothed infant in his left arm, and has his right hand placed on a young boy's head in an act of blessing. The infants are carried by their mothers and appear unclothed. This panel and the original window it ws part of was previously installed at the Essex Unitarian Church in Notting Hill, London. The Unitarians had long suffered religious persecution, but during the late 19th century they emerged as a Nonconformist denomination that attracted some of the wealthiest, most successful and best-educated patrons of the arts. Henry Holiday was a superb figure draughtsman and one of the leading stained-glass artists of his time. In 1861 he became chief designer for James Powell and Sons, taking over from Edward Burne-Jones. Inspired by his travels in Italy in 1867, his style became increasingly classical. He set up his own studio in Hampstead in 1891.
Object type: stained glass panel
Number of objects: 1 (of 5)
Production date: 1907
Production period: 20th century, early
Designer: Henry Holiday (1839 - 1927)
Manufacturer: Holiday, Henry 1839=1927
Dimensions: Height: 1075 mm, Width: 840 mm
Dedication: dedicated to Durning-Lawrence memorial window
Acquisition: gift 1973
Acquisition source: Essex Unitarian Church Essex, Notting Hill Gate, London
Accession number: ELYGM:1973.3.1
