Christ in Majesty at the Last Judgement
John Hardman & Co
1887
West window, Inverness Cathedral, dedicated to St Andrew
Scotland
This brilliant and elaborately designed stained-glass window is one of the largest in Scotland ("A Tour of the Cathedral"). It was installed by the diocese in memory of Bishop Eden. The Cathedral's "Tour" also points out that it is particularly "remarkable for its colours since it never receives direct sunlight. [Mouse over the text for links, and click on the image to enlarge it. See below for details of each part.
Photograph by Colin Price. Text and formatting by Jacqueline Banerjee.
At the top of the window, in the centre of the tracery lights, is the dove of the Holy Spirit, shining down over the scene. Around this, five angels are praying against starry backgrounds, interspersed by wing-like designs of scrolling blue set against the same plush red, and with the same star motif. The lowest two lights contain the Alpha and Omega initials against a matching background.
The main, central part of the window shows Christ surrounded by angels and his disciples, the latter all highly differentiated, and with their various attributes. Prominent among them is St Andrew, to whom the cathedral is dedicated: he sits in the second light, to the left of Jesus, holding the huge transverse cross which was the instrument of his martyrdom. On the far left is St Peter with his great golden key; on the far rightl is St John the Evangelist, with the poison escaping from his chalice in the form of a little red dragon. The level of detail is as amazing as the brilliance of the colours.
In the lowest part of the window are the trumpeting angels of the Last Judgement, and right at the lowest edge are the faces of those awoken from death to meet their fate. On the left an angel holds up a crown: the poor man at his feet need have no fear. The grace of God already shines upon him. On the other side, a king is assailed by lightening. The angel above him looks grim, and holds a sword. In the middle stands the staunch, armour-clad St Michael with his balance, ready to assess with justice and mercy the souls of the desperate supplicants. It is a sombre and thought-provoking image as well as an inspiring one.
Related Material
Bibliography
Gifford, John. Highland and Islands. The Buildings of Scotland. London: Penguin, 1992.
"Inverness, Ardross Street, Cathedral Church of St Andrew." British Listed Buildings. Web. 15 December 2017.
"A Tour of the Cathedral." United Diocese of Moray, Ross and Caithness. Web. 24 December 2017.
Created 24 December 2017