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Window of the Month
Our Lady of Grace, Dearborn Heights, Michigan

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Window

Building Name: St. Albertus Church

Studio Name: Detroit Stained Glass Works, The

City: Detroit

Window Shape: 6 (gothic arched, more than 2 vertical sections)

Date of Window: 1885

Subject/Title of Window: Assumption

Brief Description of Subject: Octofoil at the top contains a depiction of the "Stella Maris" (Star of the Sea) which is the title given to the Virgin Mary for her role as a guiding star for Christians. This portion of the window has sustained some damage -- the 5 pointed star is seen guiding the boat to the shore.

The scene is a depiction for the assumption of Mary's body into heaven after her death. This event is not covered in scriptures so artists are free to use their imaginations. This windows rendering owes much to the paintings of the Assumption by the Spanish baroque painter Murillo. He was inspired to base his depiction on Mary as the woman in Rev. 12:1 -- "A great and wondrous sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, moon under her feet a crown of twelve stars on her head".  Mary, atop a cloud and backlit with sunlight, has a crescent moon under her feet;  putti can be seen in the clouds.

Inscriptions: OFIAROWALO BRACTWO ROZANCA WIECZNEGO
Donated by the Confraternity of the Eternal Rosary


Height: ~19'

Width: 9'

Assumption
Assumption
The Stella Maris
The Stella Maris
Assumption close-up
Assumption close-up

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