Archibald Keightley Nicholson
Encyclopedia
Archibald Keightley Nicholson (1871–1937) was an English 20th century ecclesiastical stained-glass
maker. His father was Charles Nicholson
and his two brothers, Charles and Sydney
, were a church architect and church musician respectively.
During his lifetime Nicholson is said to have carried out over 700 windows, including work in the cathedrals of Newcastle, Chester, Lincoln, Norwich, Southwell, Bradford, Worcester (the Elgar memorial window) and Wells.
He designed the rose window
of the south transept at Church of Christ the King, Bloomsbury
, along with a 1932 window dedicated to St Stephen Harding
in the Musicians' Chapel at St Sepulchre-without-Newgate
, both in London. The latter church also contains a Memorial Window to him, by Gerald E.R. Smith, with the following inscription:
He also designed a window at St John the Baptist, Wonersh
. The east window there is his earliest work - it is dated 1902, shows Christ with St George and St Alban (it was commissioned in memory of two soldiers, hence the military saints) - and he also produced its two smaller windows in the north wall depicting the Madonna & Child and the Annunciation.
In St Wilfrid's Church, Mobberley
is Nicholson's window to the memory of George Mallory
who, with Andrew Irvine
lost his life climbing Mount Everest
in 1924.
The Lady Chapel
of Waltham Abbey
church contains three windows by Nicholson. They depict the Annunciation
, the Nativity
and the Presentation of Christ in the Temple
. Work on the 'missing' window - to depict the Epiphany - was interrupted by the Second World War
and never resumed.
Several good windows by Nicholson may also be seen in St Gabriel's church, Swansea. The largest of these is the great east window above the high altar which was dedicated in 1925 . The principal figures are the archangels Gabriel
and Michael
, flanked by figures representing the Te Deum
and with the Doctors of the Church in the lower panels. The style would appear to be a little dated, but the Vicar at the time was obviously delighted: "a triumph of the artist's skill", he wrote, "the beauty of the design, the richness and blending of the colours, the majesty of the figures, the expressions of the faces make it the grand and inspired conception of one who is at the same time a great artist and a devout Catholic". There are smaller windows on the south side of the sanctuary also of 1925-26 showing Saint Helen and Saint Catherine of Alexandria but in a more contemporary style. Finally the windows in the Lady Chapel
over the altar and on the south wall are also by Nicholson. They also date from 1925–26 and depict themes related to the life of Our Lady
including some rather unfortunate twee baby angels.
Stained glass
The term stained glass can refer to coloured glass as a material or to works produced from it. Throughout its thousand-year history, the term has been applied almost exclusively to the windows of churches and other significant buildings...
maker. His father was Charles Nicholson
Charles Nicholson
Sir Charles Nicholson, 1st Baronet was a British-Australian politician, university founder, explorer, pastoralist, antiquarian and philanthropist...
and his two brothers, Charles and Sydney
Sydney Nicholson
Sir Sydney Hugo Nicholson was an English choir director, organist and composer, now chiefly remembered as the founder of the Royal School of Church Music . He was born in London and educated at Rugby School, New College, Oxford and the Royal College of Music...
, were a church architect and church musician respectively.
During his lifetime Nicholson is said to have carried out over 700 windows, including work in the cathedrals of Newcastle, Chester, Lincoln, Norwich, Southwell, Bradford, Worcester (the Elgar memorial window) and Wells.
He designed the rose window
Rose window
A Rose window is often used as a generic term applied to a circular window, but is especially used for those found in churches of the Gothic architectural style and being divided into segments by stone mullions and tracery...
of the south transept at Church of Christ the King, Bloomsbury
Church of Christ the King, Bloomsbury
The Church of Christ the King is a church belonging to the Catholic Apostolic Church which is situated in Gordon Square, Bloomsbury, London, beside Dr Williams's Library and near University College London. The church is currently used by the Anglican organisation Forward in Faith...
, along with a 1932 window dedicated to St Stephen Harding
Stephen Harding
Saint Stephen Harding is a Christian saint and abbot, one of the founders of the Cistercian Order.-Life:Stephen Harding was born in Dorset, England. He was placed in Sherborne Abbey at a young age, but eventually put aside the cowl and became a travelling scholar. He eventually moved to Molesme...
in the Musicians' Chapel at St Sepulchre-without-Newgate
St Sepulchre-without-Newgate
St Sepulchre-without-Newgate, also known as the Church of the Holy Sepulchre , is an Anglican church in the City of London. It is located on Holborn Viaduct, almost opposite the Old Bailey...
, both in London. The latter church also contains a Memorial Window to him, by Gerald E.R. Smith, with the following inscription:
- "To the glory of God. In memory of Archibald Keightley Nicholson, Master Glass Painter, who worshipped at this church. This window is designed and carried out by the craftsmen of his studios as a thank offering for his life and friendship. 1871 - 1937."
He also designed a window at St John the Baptist, Wonersh
Wonersh
Wonersh is a small Surrey village in England. Wonersh is about 3 miles SSE of Guildford on the B2128 road from Guildford, Shalford to Cranleigh...
. The east window there is his earliest work - it is dated 1902, shows Christ with St George and St Alban (it was commissioned in memory of two soldiers, hence the military saints) - and he also produced its two smaller windows in the north wall depicting the Madonna & Child and the Annunciation.
In St Wilfrid's Church, Mobberley
St Wilfrid's Church, Mobberley
St Wilfrid's Church, Mobberley stands to the north of the village of Mobberley, Cheshire, England. The church has been designated by English Heritage as a Grade I listed building. It is an active Anglican parish church in the diocese of Chester, the archdeaconry of Macclesfield and the...
is Nicholson's window to the memory of George Mallory
George Mallory
George Herbert Leigh Mallory was an English mountaineer who took part in the first three British expeditions to Mount Everest in the early 1920s....
who, with Andrew Irvine
Andrew Irvine (mountaineer)
Andrew "Sandy" Comyn Irvine was an English mountaineer who took part in 1924 British Everest Expedition, the third British expedition to the world's highest mountain, Mount Everest....
lost his life climbing Mount Everest
Mount Everest
Mount Everest is the world's highest mountain, with a peak at above sea level. It is located in the Mahalangur section of the Himalayas. The international boundary runs across the precise summit point...
in 1924.
The Lady Chapel
Lady chapel
A Lady chapel, also called Mary chapel or Marian chapel, is a traditional English term for a chapel inside a cathedral, basilica, or large church dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary...
of Waltham Abbey
Waltham Abbey, Essex
Waltham Abbey is a market town of about 20,400 people in the south west of the county of Essex, in the East of England region. It is about 24 km north of London on the Greenwich Meridian and lies between the River Lea in the west and Epping Forest in the east. It takes its name from The Abbey...
church contains three windows by Nicholson. They depict the Annunciation
Annunciation
The Annunciation, also referred to as the Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin Mary or Annunciation of the Lord, is the Christian celebration of the announcement by the angel Gabriel to Virgin Mary, that she would conceive and become the mother of Jesus the Son of God. Gabriel told Mary to name her...
, the Nativity
Nativity of Jesus in art
The Nativity of Jesus has been a major subject of Christian art since the 4th century. The artistic depictions of the Nativity or birth of Jesus, celebrated at Christmas, are based on the narratives in the Bible, in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, and further elaborated by written, oral and...
and the Presentation of Christ in the Temple
Presentation
Presentation is the practice of showing and explaining the content of a topic to an audience or learner. Presentations come in nearly as many forms as there are life situations...
. Work on the 'missing' window - to depict the Epiphany - was interrupted by the Second World War
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and never resumed.
Several good windows by Nicholson may also be seen in St Gabriel's church, Swansea. The largest of these is the great east window above the high altar which was dedicated in 1925 . The principal figures are the archangels Gabriel
Gabriel
In Abrahamic religions, Gabriel is an Archangel who typically serves as a messenger to humans from God.He first appears in the Book of Daniel, delivering explanations of Daniel's visions. In the Gospel of Luke Gabriel foretells the births of both John the Baptist and of Jesus...
and Michael
Michael
Michael is a given name that comes from the , derived from the Hebrew question מי כמו אלוהים? meaning "Who is like God?" In English, it is sometimes shortened to Mike, Mikey, or, especially in Ireland, Mick...
, flanked by figures representing the Te Deum
Te Deum
The Te Deum is an early Christian hymn of praise. The title is taken from its opening Latin words, Te Deum laudamus, rendered literally as "Thee, O God, we praise"....
and with the Doctors of the Church in the lower panels. The style would appear to be a little dated, but the Vicar at the time was obviously delighted: "a triumph of the artist's skill", he wrote, "the beauty of the design, the richness and blending of the colours, the majesty of the figures, the expressions of the faces make it the grand and inspired conception of one who is at the same time a great artist and a devout Catholic". There are smaller windows on the south side of the sanctuary also of 1925-26 showing Saint Helen and Saint Catherine of Alexandria but in a more contemporary style. Finally the windows in the Lady Chapel
Lady chapel
A Lady chapel, also called Mary chapel or Marian chapel, is a traditional English term for a chapel inside a cathedral, basilica, or large church dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary...
over the altar and on the south wall are also by Nicholson. They also date from 1925–26 and depict themes related to the life of Our Lady
Blessed Virgin Mary (Roman Catholic)
Roman Catholic veneration of the Blessed Virgin Mary is based on Holy Scripture: In the fullness of time, God sent his son, born of a virgin. The mystery of the incarnation of the Son of God through Mary thus signifies her honour as Mother of God...
including some rather unfortunate twee baby angels.