“Orchestrations of Colour” is devoted to the life and work of the Glaswegian stained glass artist-craftsman, Douglas Hamilton (1895-1959), who trained with the Stephen Adam Studio, studied at the Glasgow School of Art and served in the Great War. He later moved on to Guthrie & Wells until setting up his own studio in 1938. From then until his death in 1959 he produced stained glass for the 90 or more churches listed in the gazetteer. He rarely signed his windows so there are undoubtedly others, yet to be identified.
This book considers the process of gaining commissions and the iconography of the windows, especially when they include scenes of everyday life as well as Christian imagery. There is a particular emphasis on the war memorial windows as well as a description of the stages involved in making stained glass and a discussion of his style.
The author is a priest in the Church of England, now retired and living in Leicestershire. Jeff has long been interested in church buildings and furnishings, with a particular bent towards stained glass. He is currently researching the work of the Victorian firm of the Horwood Brothers, Frome. This is his fifth book.
In a review for the Journal of the British Society of Master Glass Painters, Peter Cormack states that: “The book concludes with a detailed Gazetteer of all the Hamilton windows that Hopewell has been able to identify. He points out that some domestic and overseas commissions remain untraced, but it is probable that all but a very few windows have been unearthed by the author's exhaustive research. Anyone interested in Scottish stained glass will be indebted to Jeff Hopewell for this fine book, which for many readers introduces an artist who has, until now, been little known even in his own country.”
Full colour throughout, 128 pages and more than 75 illustrations.
240mm x 170mm, soft cover.
ISBN: 978-1-8380680-0-4
Retail price $37 US (includes shipping)
To purchase: Email Jeff Hopewell at coplowpress@gmail.com
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