Stained Glass of Percy Bacon

Pilsdon has a single stained window of 1918, the east. Like many of Bacon's windows during and after the first world war, this is a memorial to a fallen soldier, Arthur Leslie Jenks who died of wounds in Palestine on 7th October of that year, and repeats many of the figures and themes common to such memorials. The window is of five lights. Christ the Consoler is flanked on the left by St Ann and Courage, and on the right by St Paul and Victory. The image of Christ is from the same cartoon as that in Marwood, St Michael & All Angels, Devon, and those of Courage and Victory are often repeated in other Bacon memorial windows (see Dunchurch, Warks, and Sandy. Beds, amongst others). St Ann holds a book with the words from Proverbs 31:28. The tracery contains various Arma Christi, and a plethora of "filler" cherubs, their heads cupped in their wings, a somewhat over- used Bacon motif, though one in this case which would have relieved the designer of having to over-think the subject matter and come up with multiple designs for those fiddly little openings which most people would probably ignore anyway. It may also have been a cost cutting measure as these repetitive images were likely to have been mass-produced by junior staff at the firm. Another well used device is also apparent in the east window. Each figure stands in front of a bejewelled drape, or curtain, hung by golden ribbons tied to the niche columns.

WW1 memorial window; Christ the consoler, flanked by Courage and St Ann, and St Paul & Victory.

Pilsdon, East Window; 1918. Courage.

Pilsdon, East Window; 1918. St Ann.

Pilsdon, East Window; 1918. Christ Consoler.

Pilsdon, East Window; 1918. St Paul.

Pilsdon, East Window; 1918. Victory.

Pilsdon, East Window; 1918. Detail.

Pilsdon, East Window; 1918. Detail.

Pilsdon, East Window; 1918. Detail.

It is sometimes difficult to get very close to windows to view their complexity (especially east windows) given their height, or the barriers such as reredos or altar tables which often partially obscure or physically impede the viewer's proximity. But only when one gets very close to the windows can the astonishing details which have been created be seen. However, powerful lenses and high resolution computer screens can help in discerning the detail and enable an appreciation of the work which has gone into the painting of this window, such as the astonishing floral patterns on Courage's cloak, or the fine brush strokes used to pick out individual strands of hair.

This window is a particularly good example of Bacon's craft. Not all are so pleased. John Newman in Pevsner's guide to Dorset crypticly remarks, "Who would believe that the glass in the E window could commemorate a death in 1918 — twenty-two years after the death of William Morris ? The artist was even so ill advised as to sign: Percy Bacon, London".¹ The window is indeed signed in feint paint at the bottom right, but quite what Newman is getting at is anyone's guess!

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1. Newman, John; Buildings of England, Dorset. 1972: p 315