Good Samaritan

• Types of glass: 1. Opalescent 2. Mottled 3. Striated 4. Mild Drapery 5. Herringbone
• Painting
• Multilayers

As seen here, J. Horace Rudy created windows with brilliant colors. This window was originally installed at the North Congregational Church in Haverhill, Massachusetts. It is unsigned, which is not unusual for a window by the Rudy Brothers Company.

Special Features
• In this window, paint has been applied to the back of the opalescent glass. The Rudy Brothers excelled at this technique. Notice how it softens the appearance of the window and adds another dimension. The painting diffuses the light as it passes through the glass plates, creating an impressionistic quality.
• The leading in the front and back plates adds movement to the scene.

Biblical Story of the Window
This window depicts the Parable of the Good Samaritan in which a traveler is robbed, beaten, and left for dead on the side of the road. A passing Samaritan is the only person who stops to help the injured man. He gives the man water from his canteen and bandages his wounds with his scarf. He then gently lifts the man onto his animal and walks with him to the nearest city. Finally, he finds the man a room at an inn and pays for his room and board. Thus, the expression “good Samaritan” refers to someone who stops to help a stranger.

The figures in this window have been expertly created to illustrate the parable. The good Samaritan shows compassion. He wears an expression of concern, and his body leans toward the injured man. He gently offers a container of water. The injured man has a grave expression. He slumps forward in a seated position, holding his hand to his forehead. Despite a healthy physique, he is clearly in physical and perhaps emotional pain.