Monday, June 29, 2015

The Blind Artist And His West Window

In the sanctuary at Knox Presbyterian, there is a cabinet containing military colours dating back to the First World War. 


I mentioned yesterday about William Wilson designing the east windows of the church. Years later he returned to do the stained glass windows on the west side, on the balcony. At this point in his life, Wilson was blind, and dictated his vision to a colleague. The theme of this window is the revelation of St. John.


34 comments:

  1. That's an amazing piece of work for somebody who's blind.

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  2. I can not believe that someone who is blind, will be able to do this. Really beautiful window.
    Exquisite Report, as the previous ones.
    Hugs

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  3. What an amazing topic for your post today, William








    ALOHA
    ComfortSpiral
    =^..^=

    (\__/)
    (='.'=)
    (")_(")

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  4. It is worth of mention, to paint what a blind person says.

    Tomás.

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  5. You keep surprising us: the story of the blind artist is amazing and really unusual.

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  6. Even though he was blind, he had unerring vision.

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  7. That is special he dictated his vision to another and the result is beautiful.

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  8. Interesting to see these stained glass windows in a church of the radical Reformation.

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  9. A beautiful building....comes to life with information like this.
    Jane x

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  10. Wow, that is very inspiring.

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  11. Maybe blind, but very talented ! Impressive !

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  12. @Red: an astounding achievement.

    @Orvokki: clearly his artistic vision outlasted his physical vision.

    @Cloudia: thank you!

    @Tomas: it really is.

    @VP: if anything, this may well be his masterpiece stained glass.

    @Tamera: most definitely.

    @Marianne: it's a sight to behold.

    @Revrunner: it does tend to be that Catholic churches have an overwhelming number of stained glass windows, but even Protestant churches will tend to have some.

    @Tex: indeed!

    @Jane: thank you!

    @Sharon: it really is.

    @Karl: very much so.

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  13. A very talented blind artist!

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  14. I can believe it. My mother once had a painting done of her horse...by a very talented artist who had no hands. He painted using his feet.

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  15. It's amazing someone who was blind could create such a beautiful work. He must have had a very clear vision in his head.

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  16. Interesting story. I also find the military references in the churches you've shown us to have some fascinating theological implications which I will not go into for now! :) Love the windows and the stone.

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  17. An interesting story about the blind stained glass artist and the resulting beautiful window. Very nice!

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  18. Nice shots of the church again.
    That was a very specil way to create and realize such wonderful stained glass windows.

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  19. Isn't it amazing how artists will find ways to continue despite a handicap?

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  20. Isn't it amazing that this is even possible. The window is beautiful.

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  21. That's an amazing story William, even blind he had such visual talent..

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  22. It's beautiful. Sad that he couldn't see it for himself.

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  23. @Linda: what a fitting legacy for him.

    @Norma: I've heard of artists doing that.

    @Tamago: he must have.

    @Lowell: there's another church here that has several regimental colours in its sanctuary.

    @Pamela: thank you!

    @Jan: it certainly was!

    @Ciel: the creative spirit endures.

    @Halcyon: so do I.

    @Marleen: I agree!

    @RedPat: very much so!

    @Beth: me too!

    @Geoff: the mind's a wonderful thing.

    @Lois: in his own way he did see it!

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  24. Beautiful! His choice of words must have been excellent.

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  25. Great story but so unfortunate that he wasn't able to see and appreciate his vision.

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  26. It's amazing that he could design the window and have his colleague translate it for him. Monet was nearly blind when he painted his last works and what wonderful paintings they are! I love your new header photo. It makes me want to be there on my bike.

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  27. It must be very difficult to be a blind artist!

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  28. @Mari: definitely.

    @Kay: alas.

    @Randy: I thought so.

    @LDP: thank you!

    @EG: it would be.

    @Whisk: definitely.

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