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Printing plate
copper plate St John (Stained Glass, Selby Abbey Church)

Object number

LDSAL2022.2.142

Artist/Designer/Maker

Fowler, William - Engraver
Harris, George - Printing plate maker

Production date

25/01/1822

Material

copper

Technique

Etching
Aquatint

Dimensions

height: 382mm
width: 332mm

Location

Burlington House -

Content description

Printing plate depicting part of the East window with St John from Selby Abbey Church; with copper plate maker's stamp on reverse.

Inscriptions

Inscription content

SELBY ABBEY CHURCH _ PART OF THE EAST WINDOW

Inscription content

0 2 4 6
Scale of Inches

Inscription content

WFowler Del. et fecit Jan. 25th 1822

Inscription date

25/01/1822

Inscription content

G. HARRIS
31 SHOE LANE
LONDON

Inscription content

JOHA/NNES

References

Reference (controlled)

Betti, Chiara. “Lost Treasures Resurface: The Untold Story of the Society of Antiquaries’ Printing Plates.” The Antiquaries Journal 104 (2024): 304–42. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0003581524000179.
    Printing plate depicting part of the East window with St John from Selby Abbey Church; with copper plate maker's stamp on reverse.
    This copper plate was commissioned by Barnard Clarkson (1748–1826), a banker from Selby, who intended to publish a History of Selby. He commissioned eight prints to Fowler, reproducing details from the East window at Abbey Church and a plate with the tombstone of Lord Barwick. After Clarkson's death, Edward Parker (1786–1865) obtained the few copies of the above prints that had been struck off.

    Impressions from this plate were published on the 5th of April 1824 in a "Second Appendix to the Former Collection of Engravings" dedicated to John, Earl of Brownlow (1779–1853). The appendix contained twenty-six prints, and impressions could be purchased from William Fowler (Winterton, near Brigg), Mr W. Clarke (no. 38, New Bond Street, London), and Messers Manners & Miller (Edinburgh).

    This etching is included in the Earl of Crawford's third volume of Fowler's prints, which contained prints reproducing stained glass.

    The East window at Selby Abbey is also known as the Jesse window as it depicts the tree of Jesse. The Jesse window is generally thought to be the second finest window in England (the West window of York Minster being the first). It consists of seven lights, with beautifully flamboyant tracery above, and was constructed in the year 1340. At the bottom of the window is Jesse in repose. From his heart springs the Jesse branch, the family tree of Jesus, encircling his descendants, right up to our Lord in His Mother’s arms at the top centre pane. In the tracery of the window is the Doom. This is a representation of men and women rising from their graves to go to judgement. St Michael is in the centre, with balance in hand, weighing souls. Those of good weight pass on to Paradise, carried by Angels; those who are “found wanting” go to Hell, borne by differently coloured devils.

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