Divine Light - by Janet Gough (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

The stained-glass windows of England's cathedrals illuminate interior spaces, communicate religious and other messages, and - perhaps - offer a glimpse of heaven. This book tells the remarkable story of these much-loved works of art.

The stained-glass windows of England's cathedrals illuminate interior spaces, communicate religious and other messages, and - perhaps - offer us a glimpse of heaven. This book tells the remarkable story of these much-loved works of art.

Divine Light features glass from every Church of England cathedral. It spans nearly 900 years, beginning with the windows installed at Canterbury Cathedral following the murder of Thomas Becket in 1170 and representing every subsequent century in the history of English stained glass. Divine Light encompasses the Middle Ages, the Reformation, the hugely productive 'long 19th century', the Pre-Raphaelites, the Arts and Crafts movement, the creative commissions of the 20th century, and the innovative glass being commissioned by cathedrals today.

The book establishes the connections between the artistic beauty of stained glass, its effectiveness as a narrative medium, and the various technical developments that have shaped the work of practitioners over the centuries. The refraction of light through colored glass emerges as an early form of mass communications that retains its power to move and inspire today.

Review Quotes

"Divine Light encompasses the Middle Ages, the Reformation, the hugely productive 'long nineteenth century', the Arts and Crafts movement, the creative commisions of the twentieth century, and the innovative glass being commisioned by cathedrals today.

Importantly, Divine Light establishes the connections between the artistic beauty of stained glass, it's effectiveness as a narrative medium, and the various tecnical developments that have shaped the work of practioners over the centuries."-- "Stained Glass Association of America"

"The scene is astonishingly alive: the sower strides diagonally across his furrows, in elogant detailed costume, seed basket with tiny feet hanging fron his neck..."-- "The Catholic Herald"

"This book is a wonderful companion to cathedral-crawling, not least in helping the crawlers work out what is, and what isn't, worth seeing." --Simon Heffer "Telegraph"

"Divine Light encompasses the Middle Ages, the Reformation, the hugely productive 'long nineteenth century', the Arts and Crafts movement, the creative commissions of the twentieth century. It also establishes the connections between the artistic beauty of stained glass, its effectiveness as a narrative medium, and the various technical developments that have shaped the work of practitioners over the centuries. The refraction of light through coloured glass emerges as an early form of mass communication that retains its power to move and inspire today."-- "Inspire Chesire"

"The book provides a comprehensive insight into stained glass from the Middle Ages to the innovative pieces being commissioned today. New photographs by Andy Marshall and Marcus Green grace the book, which also doubles as a travel guide for the millions exploring England's cathedrals a year."-- "Ely Standard "

About the Author

For eight years the Church of England's Director of Church Buildings and Secretary of the Church Buildings Council and Cathedrals Fabric Commission, Canon Janet Gough OBE has written three illustrated paperbacks to encourage wider enjoyment of these extraordinary buildings, Director's Choice: Churches of the Church of England, Director's Choice: Cathedrals of the Church of England and most recently (2022) Deans' Choice: Cathedral Treasures of England and Wales. A Cambridge graduate in History and History of Art, Janet worked at Sotheby's for nine years, was a trustee at the Churches Conservation Trust, the Museum of Fulham Palace and the Friends of the V&A and guided and lectured at the V&A. Janet advised Royal Mail on the special Christmas 2024 stamps, which featured five cathedrals from across the UK. Janet received an OBE for services to heritage in 2017, and in 2021 was made one of the first lay Canons of Bangor cathedral.