Alf Webster

Last updated

Alfred Alexander Webster (1883-1915) was a Scottish stained glass artist in the early nineteenth century. His talent established him as the successor to the Glasgow stained glass designer Stephen Adam who in turn considered Daniel Cottier to be his master. Webster was considered one of the most accomplished artists working in stained-glass during this period. [1] [2] Websters Theatre, Glasgow on 416 Great Western Road, Glasgow is named after Webster as the building contains two major stained glass windows (The Templeton window and the McCowan window) designed by him. [3]

Contents

Early life and studies

Webster was born at 40 Keir Street in Pollokshields in Glasgow’s South Side on the 19th December 1883. [4] He was the second son of George Webster (1842 -1910) and Ann Jane McCall. Webster had an elder brother, George, and two younger brothers called Gordon and Edward. At the age of 14 Webster completed his schooling before becoming a shipbroker’s clerk, probably employed at George Webster & Co., their father’s firm located at Waterloo Chambers, 19 Waterloo Street. When he was employed as a shipbroker’s clerk Webster met and married Maude Caroline Murdoch Cochrane (1883-1959). Both Webster and Maude were eighteen years old when they married in June 1901. After his marriage to Maude, Webster changed his career turning his focus to the study of Architecture. In 1903 he registered for evening classes at the Glasgow School of Art. [5] In his first year at Glasgow School of Art Webster studied Architecture and Modelling under David G Miller and Walter Robert Watson. Architectural Historian Gordon Urquhart notes that it is difficult to know exactly how Webster’s artistic output was shaped by his time at GSA but Urquhart argues that Webster’s biggest stylistic influence came during his time studying and working under Stephen Adam (1848–1910).

Career

Webster’s style is very distinctive. [6] Urquhart notes that it is difficult to note when Webster began to ‘find his own particular voice’ but it is clear that Webster’s style matured during his time at the Stephen Adam studio quickly becoming one of Scotland most proficient and innovative stained-glass artists. His style is heavily designed with colour, shape and texture at the forefront of the design. He used pioneering techniques such as acid etching and the use of thick Norman slab glass [7] which at the time was popularised by the leading English artist Christopher Whall (1849-1924). Websters later work is heavily laden with symbolism. With the outbreak of war in Europe in August 1914 Webster was a highly successful stained-glass artist with several commissions from a variety of churches throughout Scotland. Commissions for stained glass windows in 1914 included churches in Orkney, St Andrews and the completion and installation of the McCowan window at Landsdowne church (now Websters’ Bar & Theatre).

The Templeton window

The Templeton window in the north transept of Lansdowne church installed in 1913. It was a gift of the Misses Templeton, the daughters of James Templeton. James Templeton was one of Lansdowne UP church’s long-time Mangers and Elders. The window depicts scenes from the life of Christ including the Resurrection and the Nativity. The window is currently not available to view by the public.

The McCowan window

The McCowan window is the south transept window which was installed in Lansdowne Church in 1913. The window was a gift of Mr and Mrs David McCowan of 9 Park Circus, Glasgow. McCowan was a senior partner of the celebrated firm of Messrs William Euing & Company, marine insurance brokers and underwriters. The McCowans were well known philanthropists in Glasgow. The window depicts six scenes of events during Holy Week. The window is currently not available to view by the public.

Personal life

In 1910 Webster, Maude and their family were living in a house called Woodside in Uplawmoor before moving into Stephen Adam’s former home at 168 Bath Street, Glasgow. By 1915 Webster and Maude had three young children Martyn, Gordon McWhirter and Alfred Edward Comyn. From 1911 Webster appears to have run the Stephen Adam Studio and quickly achieved a reputation in the art world. [8]

In 1915 Webster volunteered to fight for his country passing his medical and physical mandatory examinations at the Maryhill Barracks on the 26th February 1915. Webster was deemed fit for service and joined the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Gordon Highlanders. He was recommended by the Battalion’s Commanding Officer for the post of 2nd Lieutenant. By the 17th March 1915 he had received his commission as a probationary 2nd Lieutenant in the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion of the Gordon Highlanders and was based in the Aberdeen city garrison. The 1st Battalion of the Gordons, with Webster, were shipped to the front lines in May 1915. Urquhart notes that Websters movements during the war are difficult to trace but that the 1st Battalion were stationed near Ouderdom southwest of Ypres. Webster, along with several other men, were injured during a period of shelling between the 13 and 17 August. Webster died from his injuries in Etaples on the 24th of August 1915. After Websters death his wife, Maude Webster, continued to operate the stained glass firm [9] under its original title of the Stephen Adam Studio. [10] Maude placed the practical management of the glass shop in the hands of the firm’s former apprentice and assistant Douglas Hamilton (1895 -1959). Hamilton completed several of Webster’s commissions after his mentor’s death. [11]

List of windows

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clydebank</span> Town in Scotland

Clydebank is a town in West Dunbartonshire, Scotland. Situated on the north bank of the River Clyde, it borders the village of Old Kilpatrick to the west, and the Yoker and Drumchapel areas of the adjacent City of Glasgow immediately to the east. Depending on the definition of the town's boundaries, the suburban areas of Duntocher, Faifley and Hardgate either surround Clydebank to the north, or are its northern outskirts, with the Kilpatrick Hills beyond.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Kilpatrick</span>

New Kilpatrick, is an ecclesiastical Parish and former Civil Parish in Dunbartonshire. It was formed in 1649 from the eastern half of the parish of Kilpatrick, the western half forming Old Kilpatrick. New Kilpatrick is also a disused name for the town of Bearsden.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Douglas Strachan</span> Scottish stained glass artist (1875–1950)

Douglas Strachan is considered the most significant Scottish designer of stained glass windows in the 20th century. He is best known for his windows at the Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands, at Edinburgh's Scottish National War Memorial and in cathedrals and churches throughout the United Kingdom. He is also known for his paintings, murals, and illustrations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Crozier (archbishop of Armagh)</span>

John Baptist Crozier was a Church of Ireland bishop. He served as Bishop of Ossory, Ferns and Leighlin (1897–1907), Bishop of Down, Connor and Dromore (1907–1911), Primate of All Ireland and Archbishop of Armagh (1911–1920).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Cuthbert's Church, Edinburgh</span> Church in Scotland

The Parish Church of St Cuthbert is a parish church of the Church of Scotland in central Edinburgh. Probably founded in the 7th century, the church once covered an extensive parish around the burgh of Edinburgh. The church's current building was designed by Hippolyte Blanc and completed in 1894.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wilhelmina Geddes</span> British artist

Wilhelmina GeddesHRUA was an Irish stained glass artist who was an important figure within the Irish Arts and Crafts movement and also the twentieth century British stained glass revival. Notable works include windows at St Bartholomew's, St Peter's Church, and the King Albert Memorial Window, St Martin's Cathedral.

Daniel Cottier (1838–1891) was a British artist and designer born in Anderston, Glasgow, Scotland. His work was said to be influenced by the writing of John Ruskin, the paintings of the Dante Gabriel Rossetti and the work of William Morris. He painted allegorical figures in the Pre-Raphaelite style of Rossetti and Sir Edward Burne-Jones. Cottier is considered to be an important influence on Louis Comfort Tiffany and also is credited with introducing the Aesthetic movement to America and Australia.

Lilian Josephine Pocock (1883–1974) was a stained glass artist who provided stained glass for a number of buildings, including Ulverston Victoria High School, The King's School and Ely Cathedral. She was also a theatrical costume designer, book illustrator and watercolourist. In her later years, failing eyesight prevented her from continuing her work in stained glass. After some years of retirement she died in 1974.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mabel Esplin</span> Stained glass artist (1874–1921)

Mabel Esplin (1874–1921) was an English stained glass artist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hugh Arnold</span> English stained glass artist

Hugh Arnold was an English stained glass artist. Arnold was educated at the Slade School of Fine Art before attending the London County Council (LCC) Central School of Arts and Crafts where he studied under Christopher Whall from 1989 to 1903. He designed stained glass windows for James Powell & Sons and also did some independent work. While an officer in the Northumberland Fusiliers, Arnold died on active service at Gallipoli in 1915.

Herbert Hendrie was an English stained glass artist. He is known for his strong simple designs with scintillating jewel-like effects. Among his best-known works are the fifteen windows for Kippen church and the tall stained glass windows for Liverpool Cathedral.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arthur James Dingle</span> England international rugby union player

Arthur "Mud" James Dingle was a rugby union centre and wing, who won three caps for England, and played for County Durham, Hartlepool Rovers and Oxford University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Margaret's, Newlands, Glasgow</span> Church in Glasgow, Scotland

St Margaret's Church is a Category B listed church of the Scottish Episcopal Church at 355 Kilmarnock Road, Newlands, Glasgow, Scotland.

James Cooper (1846–1922) was a Church of Scotland minister and church historian. In 1917 he attained the highest position in the Church of Scotland as Moderator of the General Assembly. He was a prolific author on religious topics and strong advocate of the reunion of the various schisms of the Scottish church.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Healy (artist)</span> Irish stained glass artist

Michael Healy was an Irish stained glass artist, one of a small number which included Wilhelmina Geddes, Evie Hone, and Harry Clarke, who achieved international recognition for their work in this medium in the first half of the 20th century. He also achieved some distinction as an illustrator and cartoonist early on in his artistic career, and as an ongoing recorder of Dublin street characters going about their daily business. Healy also occasionally painted in oil, both portraits and landscapes, exhibiting a small number of the latter during his lifetime.

Stephen Adam (1848–1910) was a 19th/20th-century Scottish influential stained glass designer. He was a pioneer of modern stained glass in Scotland. The majority of his work is in the Pre-Raphaelite style, often with a twist towards Celtic mythology, and is mainly sited in western Scotland. Although the bulk of his work is for churches he also received many secular commissions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sadie McLellan</span> Scottish stained glass artist

Sadie F McLellan was a Scottish stained glass artist known for her work in Robin Chapel and Glasgow Cathedral.

Art Nouveau temples are churches, chapels, synagogues, and mosques built in the style known as Art Nouveau in French and English languages, Jugendstil in Germany and Nordic countries, Secessionsstil in countries of former Austro-Hungary, Modernisme in Catalan, Modern in Russian, Stile Liberty or Stile Floreale in Italian. As National Romantic style is also referred to Art Nouveau, churches of that style are also listed here, as well as some temples not of pure Art Nouveau style but with distinctive Art Nouveau features.

Leonard Walker was a British painter and stained glass designer. His work was part of the painting event in the art competition at the 1928 Summer Olympics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Websters Theatre, Glasgow</span> Repurposed Presbyterian church building

Websters is a theatre in Glasgow, Scotland. It also operates as a bar and restaurant. Websters occupies the building of the 19th century former Lansdowne Parish Church.

References

  1. ↑ Urquhart, Gordon (2011). An Notable Ornament: Lansdowne Church: An Icon of Victorian Glasgow. Glasgow: Four Acres Charitable Trust and Glasgow City Heritage Trust. ISBN   978-0-9569014-0-8.
  2. ↑ Barnes, Julie-Anne (2015-09-05). "Tribute to stained glass genius". Daily Record. Retrieved 2023-05-08.
  3. ↑ "Alf Webster - Websters Glasgow". Websters. Retrieved 2023-04-25.
  4. ↑ "Alfred (Alf) Webster from The Gazetteer for Scotland". The Gazetteer for Scotland. Retrieved 2023-04-25.
  5. ↑ "Alf Webster: Glasgow's Lost Genius". westendreport65.rssing.com. Retrieved 2023-04-25.
  6. ↑ Donnelly, Michael (1985). Glasgow Stained Glass. Glasgow: Glasgow Museums and Art Galleries. p. 35.
  7. ↑ Donnelly, Michael (1985). Glasgow Stained Glass. Glasgow: Glasgow Museums and Art Galleries. p. 35.
  8. ↑ Urquhart, Gordon (2011). An Notable Ornament: Lansdowne Church: An Icon of Victorian Glasgow. Glasgow: Four Acres Charitable Trust and Glasgow City Heritage Trust. ISBN   978-0-9569014-0-8.
  9. ↑ "'Scotland's Lost Genius.' The stained glass of Alf Webster and some Galloway connections" – Kirkcudbright History Society" . Retrieved 2023-04-25.
  10. ↑ Moody, Rona H. (2006). "200 Scottish stained glass artists". The Journal of Stained Glass. xxx (Scotland Issue).
  11. ↑ Urquhart, Gordon (2011). An Notable Ornament: Lansdowne Church: An Icon of Victorian Glasgow. Glasgow: Four Acres Charitable Trust and Glasgow City Heritage Trust. ISBN   978-0-9569014-0-8.
  12. ↑ ""Tree of Life " (1911) by Alfred Webster". victorianweb.org. Retrieved 2023-04-25.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.