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The Windows
of
St. James Chapel
From 1871 until 1920, Chicago was
widely acknowledged as a world center for the production of stained glass,
and the Saint James windows were produced during that glorious era of art
under the direction of Gustav Steinbeck, the architect of the Quigley complex,
and Robert Giles, the artist who created the Saint James Chapel stained glass.
Construction of the windows in 1918 was executed by the John Kinsella Company
of Chicago.
Antique English stained glass was
used throughout except where flesh tones are represented. (These unique hues
were hand painted in mineral oxide tints.) Each window is constructed from
20,000 to 45,000 pieces of glass.
The sanctuary windows, set into
the curved wall at the front, are each 30 feet high and seven feet wide. Each
contains 10 medallions in two vertical columns. Trifoliate panels illustrate
the life and parables of Christ.
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The windows of the south wall are enclosed within limestone frames and each
is 40 feet high, 10 feet wide and divided into 22 panels of various shapes.
The story of the Old Testament is portrayed, starting at the windows nearest
the choir.
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The windows of the north wall depict scenes from the Acts of the Apostles,
and recreate moments in the lifes of martyrs and founders of religious
orders. The cinquefoil medallions in the windows portray the inception
of the Church, migration of nations and the Middle Ages.
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To the rear of the chapel, the rose window, 28 feet in diameter, differs
in subject and form from the rose window of Sainte Chapelle. The rose window
of the Saint James Chapel was inspired by the transept window of Notre
Dame in Paris. Its foliations and ribs are of limestone and its 16 petals
and eight outer medallions represent the life of the Virgin Mary.
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Aside from the windows, the chapel itself is of great simplicity.
The unique altar should be noted. It was carved in France of Caen stone
and represents Leonardo da Vinci's mural of the Last Supper.
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For more information, please contact us at:
Friends of the Windows
103 East Chestnut
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 787-8625
Send Us E-mail
Quigley Home Page
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