Hardman & Co., Stained Glass Window Design, Minchinhampton Church

Hardman & Co., Stained Glass Window Design, Minchinhampton ChurchThis beautiful late 19th century watercolour by British stained glass manufacturer Hardman & Co carries a design for Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton, Stroud. Founded in 1838, Hardman & Co was considered one of the worlds leading manufacturers of stained glass. It was a family business led by John Hardman Senior (1766 1844). Initially established for the design and manufacturing of metalwork, Hardman entered the stained glass industry following the

A precocious talent

For instance

till Turner went down covered with blood

she peers back across the decades - captured in pencil and watercolour over a century ago

In contrast

The figures are mere silhouettes as they walk towards a manor house - partially obscured by dense foliage

the crystal clear waters and brilliant blue sky seem distinctly Mediterranean

‘framing trees’

we see a view from around 1905

But towards the end of his life

Where others sought to whisper

The brute forms of highland cattle graze upon rugged terrain as sunlight gleams through scattered pockets of blue