Sealing of the Twelve Tribes

• Types of glass: 1. Opalescent 2. Striated 3. Mottled 4. Rippled
• Painting on hands, faces, and feet
• Up to 5 Layers

This window belonged to a major American museum, which loaned it to another museum. The window was never returned and was presumed lost. But years later, a dealer offered it for sale with the top section missing. A dispute ensued between the original museum and the dealer over ownership rights to the remaining portion of the window. The museum eventually relinquished its claim to the window and it was subsequently sold by the dealer to this museum. We then began the endeavor of restoring the window.
Another Sealing of the Twelve Tribes window by La Farge is installed at Trinity Church in Buffalo, New York. That window won acclaim at the 1889 Exposition Universelle in Paris. La Farge received a first-class medal and the Cross of the Legion of Honor at this event. With the gracious cooperation of the church, we viewed that window to assist in our restoration.

La Farge created this window in the late 19th century. It is unsigned but very similar in style to his other windows of the period. He often included waterfalls in his work after an 1886 trip to Japan, and he created other angels in the manner seen here. In this window, the talented La Farge produced a magnificent scene with depth and breadth as well as movement using deep colors and up to five layers of glass. And the transcendental gaze on the face of each figure was created through expert painting.

Special Features
• The garments in the lower panel of this window have pieces of glass positioned in all directions. La Farge used many small pieces of glass and layers instead of drapery glass or paint to create the realistic appearance of the clothing. The fabric has texture, volume, and draping effects.
• The soft faces are in an impressionistic style. La Farge could create authentic faces in part because he used live models. The faces here are likely based on Mary Whitney, a favorite La Farge model.

Biblical Story of the Window
The window depicts an angel placing the seal of God upon the forehead of one of the faithful while two more figures ascend into heaven.