In these dark, damp and deeply cold evenings it is nice to gaze at a beautifully crafted stained glass window with its magnificent array of colours. And what better way to to do so then while keeping warm indoors! The RCSI is very fortunate to have a number of stained glass windows in it's historic building on Stephens Green. Two of which come from the internationally revered and highly sought after Harry Clarke Studios.
Two panels designed and created by Terence are on display in the RCSI Chapel of Meditation. The first depicts a happy scene featuring the Virgin Mary holding the baby Jesus. Terence's name can also be seen in the bottom right hand corner of the panel. The second panel is a more sombre one illustrating the Crucifiction of Christ.The colours in both panels are vivid and atmospheric.
A more recent addition to the College's stained glass collection are three large panels designed by the artist George Walsh. These panels were were installed in 2002 in the Albert Theatre. They depict the development of surgery and medicine down through the ages and highlight the role of the College as an all-Ireland institution within a global and caring environment.
In the first panel (below left) you can see the Egyptian Pharaoh Imhotep (c.2650-2600 BC). Imhotep wrote numerous medical treatise and is considered to be one of the earliest known physicians. Vesalius, Abraham Colles and Joseph Lister also feature. The third panel (below right) continues the history of medicine theme with such pioneers as Wilhelm Rontgen, Alexander Fleming and Joseph Murray.
When a student has completed their studies in the RCSI and receives their licence they undertake an oath to always have the best interest of the patient at heart. Words from this oath feature in the middle panel, as seen below.
'People are like stained glass windows, They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within.'
Harry Clarke took over his father's stained glass studios in Dublin in 1921 and soon became synonymous with unique and exceptionally crafted stained glass. Despite his untimely death in January 1931, the Harry Clarke Studios continued to produce stunning pieces of art for all over the world. In 1930 Terence Clarke, a nephew of Harry, entered the family studios as an apprentice quickly learning and honing his skill as a stained glass artist.
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| Detail of 'Mother and Child' stained glass panel in the RCSI Chapel of Meditation |
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| Terence Clarke (d. 1968) |
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| Full image of 'Mother and Child' stained glass panel in the RCSI Chapel of Meditation |
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| Full image of 'The Crucifiction of Christ' stained glass panel in the RCSI Chapel of Meditation |
Two panels designed and created by Terence are on display in the RCSI Chapel of Meditation. The first depicts a happy scene featuring the Virgin Mary holding the baby Jesus. Terence's name can also be seen in the bottom right hand corner of the panel. The second panel is a more sombre one illustrating the Crucifiction of Christ.The colours in both panels are vivid and atmospheric.
A more recent addition to the College's stained glass collection are three large panels designed by the artist George Walsh. These panels were were installed in 2002 in the Albert Theatre. They depict the development of surgery and medicine down through the ages and highlight the role of the College as an all-Ireland institution within a global and caring environment.
In the first panel (below left) you can see the Egyptian Pharaoh Imhotep (c.2650-2600 BC). Imhotep wrote numerous medical treatise and is considered to be one of the earliest known physicians. Vesalius, Abraham Colles and Joseph Lister also feature. The third panel (below right) continues the history of medicine theme with such pioneers as Wilhelm Rontgen, Alexander Fleming and Joseph Murray.
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| George Walsh's first stained glass panel in RCSI Albert Theatre |
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| George Walsh's third stained glass panel in RCSI Albert Theatre |
When a student has completed their studies in the RCSI and receives their licence they undertake an oath to always have the best interest of the patient at heart. Words from this oath feature in the middle panel, as seen below.
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| George Walsh's middle stained glass panel in RCSI Albert Theatre |
'People are like stained glass windows, They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within.'
- Elisabeth Kubler-Ross (1926-2004)
- Researched and written by Meadhbh Murphy