Featured Window

Our Lady of Grace, Dearborn Heights, Michigan

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MSGC : Collections : Window

Window

Building Name: St. James Episcopal Church

Studio Name: Lamb (J. and R.) Co.

City: Birmingham

Window Shape: 2 (rectangle)

Subject/Title of Window: One Was A Shepherdess On The Green - Joan of Arc

Brief Description of Subject: This window is located on the aisle of the Children's Chapel. All windows in the Chapel were designed to relate to children and provide a learning experience for them.
 
This is the last of three windows that together complete a couplet from the children's song "I Sing A Song Of The Saints Of God" composed by Lesbia Scott. The inscription "One Was  Shepherdess On The Green" is the second verse of the couplet in the first stanza of that song. The Church selected Joan of Arc as an example of a saintly shepherdess.
 
Joan of Arc (1412 - 1431) was a peasant girl who, according to tradition, worked as a shepherdess on her parent's farm in France. At the age of 13 she saw a bright light shining down from heaven and heard the voice of the Archangel Michael. Many visions followed, in one of them she was told she would be a defender of France and she was to see Prince Charles. The Prince made her the standard bearer for the French Army. Under her influence, the French Army defeated the English at the battle of Orleans. From this she is known as the "Maid of Orleans," and is one of its Patron Saints. Shortly after the victory at Orleans, Charles was crowned King Charles VII of France with Joan of Arc at his side.
 
Joan of Arc is pictured as a shepherdess at her father's farm, looking up to the heavens as divine rays of light rain down with voices whose commands she followed. In the predella is a fleur-de-lis, the symbol of France, and the crown of Charles VII, whose armies Joan inspired to victory over the French.
 
The writings at the bottom of the window identify the designer of this window as Katherine Lamb Tate of the Lamb Studios.

Inscriptions: Joan of Arc
One Was A Shepherdess On The Green
Katharine Lamb Des. The Lamb Studios


Condition of Window: Excellent

Height: 5'

Width: 39"

Type of Glass and Technique: Antique or Cathedral Glass

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