“The Visitation”
“The Visitation” is a beautiful leaded stained-glass window made by the Irish arts and crafts artist, Harry Clarke. This piece dates to 1924. It was both designed and created by Clarke as a commission piece for Saints Peter & Paul’s Church in Balbriggan County, Ireland. “The Visitation” is located on the south wall of the church, towards the eastern end.
The window has two panels depicting the meeting of the Virgin Mary with her kinswoman, Elizabeth. Mary, dressed in a dazzling blue robe decorated with tiny flowers, is on the left panel, looking up to her cousin. Elizabeth, on the right panel, is depicted as much older and visibly pregnant. She is dressed in a blue and purple robe with a golden scarf covering her hair. Zechariah, Elizabeth’s husband, is seen behind her shoulder, wearing bright red, and looking on.
Elizabeth was a respectable woman in her society. She was married to the priest, Zechariah, and part of an esteemed class. In her youth, she was unable to have children. After Elizabeth became older, well past her childbearing years, her husband was visited by an angel. The angel told of a miracle: Elizabeth had become pregnant and would be the mother of John the Baptist.
Mary was unwed and had just become pregnant herself. Her family sent her away to visit her kinswoman, Elizabeth, who was months into her pregnancy. During this visitation, Elizabeth took Mary into her home and offered her protection. Mary ended up staying with Elizabeth and Zechariah for approximately three months before returning home.
“The Visitation” is currently on display at the Saints Peter & Paul’s Church in Balbriggan County in Ireland.
For more on Harry Clarke, please visit his short biography here.
You can find more artists to learn about here.
