Adelaide-Art Gallery-"Angel of Faith" stained glass window designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany of New York. Commissioned by Ada Ayers as a memorial to her husband Henry (Harry) Lockett Ayers & originally installed 1909 in St Paul's Church. South Australia
Louis Comfort Tiffany, designer
Born New York 1848 – Died New York 1933
Tiffany Studios, manufacturer, New York, United States of America 1900 –1932
Angel of Faith and River of Life are the only windows in Australia designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany.
The windows were commissioned by Ada Ayers as a memorial to her late husband, Henry (Harry) Lockett Ayers, and six of their eight children.
The windows were installed in St Paul’s Church on Pulteney Street, Adelaide, in 1909.
When the church was decommissioned in the 1980s, the windows were moved to locations across the city, including at Pulteney Grammar School’s chapel, before being acquired by the Gallery in 2001.
In Angel of Faith an angel is shown parting the clouds, to represent Henry Ayer’s soul ascending into heaven.
The River of Life window was dedicated to six of the couple’s children who died during childhood. They are symbolised by the six cherubs at the apex of the window. Ref: Exhibit citation.
Memorial Windows
On Sunday, at St Paul's Church, Adelaide, two memorial windows will be unveiled during morning prayer by the Rev J C Haynes. These have been provided by Mrs H L Ayers in memory of her husband and of several children.
The windows have been designed and constructed by Messrs Tiffany, of New York, and are believed to be the first of the firms work to be seen in Adelaide, if not in Australia.
The window on the north represents "Faith". The figure is a beautiful one of wonderfully rich colouring, and the effect is extremely fine. That on the south aisle represents the "River of Life," a silvery stream bounded by palms and surmounted by six beautiful "cherub" heads. Altogether the work is exquisite.
Most of the glass was especially made for the figure to obtain the right blending and colour scheme. The drapery is remarkably fine. In the landscape the tree trunk is splendidly represented and the flowers at the foot are blown into the glass by a new process.
The American style of church windows is different to the English, where most of the effect is obtained by the leads and the colour is painted on or floral effects obtained by etching.
Mr John Lafarge, an American artist of great ability, introduced results obtained by by long experience. By the introduction of opalescent qualities, by letting the colours run into each other, and by twisting and flattening the glass while soft he obtained many varied and graduated colours.
The twisting of the glass also gives creases and ridges resembling drapery. By degrees the Americans have eliminated altogether painting on the glass, with the result that the modern windows are undoubtedly superb. Ref: Register (Adelaide) Saturday 11 December 1909]
Dilapidated Church has $1,000,000 Windows
Among rich stained-glass in a near derelict Adelaide church are two windows valued at $1 million. They were made by American stained-glass artist Louis Comfort Tiffany nearly 80 years ago - one of only six pairs of windows he ever made.
The windows were given to St Paul's Church, Pulteney Street in 1909 by Mrs Henry Ayers, in memory of her husband.
St Paul's used to be the parish church of the well-to-do of Adelaide. Although there are 18 memorial windows in the church, none is as unique or precious as the Tiffany pair - the Faith window and the River of Life window.
But St Paul's is no longer a fashionable church. The building has deteriorated badly. The slightest earth tremor, said the rector, Father Walter Ogle, could bring it down.
It would cost up to $500,000 to restore the building, he said. Even if the parish could afford to raise that amount - which it can't - it would be immoral to spend so much money on restoration.
Father Ogle said the windows could never be sold. They were given as memorials and must remain as such. He thinks they should be taken out and lent to the Art Gallery until St Paul's is moved, possibly to an Anglican centre in the city, where they could be reinstalled.
Adelaide stained-glass artist Cedar Prest said: "The Faith window, with the angel, is absolutely beautiful. The lead lines follow the lines of the drawing. The figure isn't chopped up like a mosaic.
"Tiffany, son of the man who founded the famous New York jewellers, had the advantage of having his own glass factory. He experimented and, among other stunning effects, developed an extraordinary opalescent glass which gives beautiful colour.
"The drapery and the angel's wings in the window are created within the glass itself. The only painting is on the face, hands and feet." [Ref: Australian Women's Weekly article by Gwen Cunningham 12-8-1981]
Adelaide-Art Gallery-"Angel of Faith" stained glass window designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany of New York. Commissioned by Ada Ayers as a memorial to her husband Henry (Harry) Lockett Ayers & originally installed 1909 in St Paul's Church. South Australia
Louis Comfort Tiffany, designer
Born New York 1848 – Died New York 1933
Tiffany Studios, manufacturer, New York, United States of America 1900 –1932
Angel of Faith and River of Life are the only windows in Australia designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany.
The windows were commissioned by Ada Ayers as a memorial to her late husband, Henry (Harry) Lockett Ayers, and six of their eight children.
The windows were installed in St Paul’s Church on Pulteney Street, Adelaide, in 1909.
When the church was decommissioned in the 1980s, the windows were moved to locations across the city, including at Pulteney Grammar School’s chapel, before being acquired by the Gallery in 2001.
In Angel of Faith an angel is shown parting the clouds, to represent Henry Ayer’s soul ascending into heaven.
The River of Life window was dedicated to six of the couple’s children who died during childhood. They are symbolised by the six cherubs at the apex of the window. Ref: Exhibit citation.
Memorial Windows
On Sunday, at St Paul's Church, Adelaide, two memorial windows will be unveiled during morning prayer by the Rev J C Haynes. These have been provided by Mrs H L Ayers in memory of her husband and of several children.
The windows have been designed and constructed by Messrs Tiffany, of New York, and are believed to be the first of the firms work to be seen in Adelaide, if not in Australia.
The window on the north represents "Faith". The figure is a beautiful one of wonderfully rich colouring, and the effect is extremely fine. That on the south aisle represents the "River of Life," a silvery stream bounded by palms and surmounted by six beautiful "cherub" heads. Altogether the work is exquisite.
Most of the glass was especially made for the figure to obtain the right blending and colour scheme. The drapery is remarkably fine. In the landscape the tree trunk is splendidly represented and the flowers at the foot are blown into the glass by a new process.
The American style of church windows is different to the English, where most of the effect is obtained by the leads and the colour is painted on or floral effects obtained by etching.
Mr John Lafarge, an American artist of great ability, introduced results obtained by by long experience. By the introduction of opalescent qualities, by letting the colours run into each other, and by twisting and flattening the glass while soft he obtained many varied and graduated colours.
The twisting of the glass also gives creases and ridges resembling drapery. By degrees the Americans have eliminated altogether painting on the glass, with the result that the modern windows are undoubtedly superb. Ref: Register (Adelaide) Saturday 11 December 1909]
Dilapidated Church has $1,000,000 Windows
Among rich stained-glass in a near derelict Adelaide church are two windows valued at $1 million. They were made by American stained-glass artist Louis Comfort Tiffany nearly 80 years ago - one of only six pairs of windows he ever made.
The windows were given to St Paul's Church, Pulteney Street in 1909 by Mrs Henry Ayers, in memory of her husband.
St Paul's used to be the parish church of the well-to-do of Adelaide. Although there are 18 memorial windows in the church, none is as unique or precious as the Tiffany pair - the Faith window and the River of Life window.
But St Paul's is no longer a fashionable church. The building has deteriorated badly. The slightest earth tremor, said the rector, Father Walter Ogle, could bring it down.
It would cost up to $500,000 to restore the building, he said. Even if the parish could afford to raise that amount - which it can't - it would be immoral to spend so much money on restoration.
Father Ogle said the windows could never be sold. They were given as memorials and must remain as such. He thinks they should be taken out and lent to the Art Gallery until St Paul's is moved, possibly to an Anglican centre in the city, where they could be reinstalled.
Adelaide stained-glass artist Cedar Prest said: "The Faith window, with the angel, is absolutely beautiful. The lead lines follow the lines of the drawing. The figure isn't chopped up like a mosaic.
"Tiffany, son of the man who founded the famous New York jewellers, had the advantage of having his own glass factory. He experimented and, among other stunning effects, developed an extraordinary opalescent glass which gives beautiful colour.
"The drapery and the angel's wings in the window are created within the glass itself. The only painting is on the face, hands and feet." [Ref: Australian Women's Weekly article by Gwen Cunningham 12-8-1981]