Comparison Of Hollyhocks: Flowering Cherry Tree And Peony

The “Hollyhocks” and “Flowering Cherry Tree and Peony” stained glass windows in the museum are from the Frederick Ames house on Dartmouth Street. The two windows which had as their subject a favorite LaFarge theme. Flowers. They were originally placed on the two sides of the hall to let the light go through. Their height are 7 feet, 3-1/4 inches, and width are 3 feet. 1-1/4inches. Made by Layers of translucent glass, opalescent white glass, a cascade of irregular pebble-like bits, and a molded blue flower are some of the innovative methods and materials used to create this decorative and painterly window. The layered glass at the top of the window suggested a distant blue sky. Opaque and deep green glass creates a darkened area that is
a foil for the luminous white and translucent red hollyhock flowers. The whole window is made by several rectangles.
Around each rectangular panel are bands of opalescent cabochons set like jewels in mounts. At the top and base of each window, blue and mottled white panels appear like clouds against the sky. The precision and regularity of these panels and cabochons present a marvelous foil for the brilliant, jewel-like tones of the central panels which explode in a burst of rich colors. Except the frame there are five main pieces of glass, each piece is mad up by many small pieces. The grass on the bottom right is Fluorescent green which have strong contrast with the the blue and pink flowers. The large pieces that make up the ground and sky are green and brown. Each piece has it’s unique colors. Even in one pice the color changed from top to bottom. Looking infant of it the hollyhock window with its large Bowers appears somber and dark, hinting that evening shadows lurk beyond the glassy surface. Those background let the white and red shins gracefully and quietly. Compare to the the peony window with its molded pink and white opalescent blooms and flowering tree which is spacious and full of movement and activity, the hollyhocks is beautiful in it’s own way, tranquil and peaceful. Like the fairy under the moon. As an image, it’s pleasure to look at. I believe that people who went to
Frederick Ames house and saw this two windows will be amazed by their exquisite and elegant. They are like the highlight of the house. The window may not have deeper meaning in them but those delicate figures are still worth to look at. The postcard is way brighter than the original piece. It maybe is caused by the sunlight. The color of the window turn yellow and the details are more clear. Over all the shape of each piece of glass has no differences. The original one is more natural and paint-liking those glass worked together like a whole piece, the texture is soft and translucent. It’s comfortable to look for a long time. On the other hand the postcard’s edges between each pieces are obvious and the characteristic of the stain window is more standout. It’s like the view of the hollyhock under the sunset. The color on the postcard are easier to identify from each others not mix together like the original one. From a further view we can only see the lighter part on the original window, but on the post card very flower leaves and grass are so clear to see. It’s also pretty in a different way.