Richard King

The Eucharistic Window, 1965–66, Single-light stained glass window, Sanctuary of the Chapel of Convent of Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart, Kensington, Adelaide, Australia; ©️ Richard King, With permission of the King Estate; Photo: Sisters of Saint Joseph Centre West Region, Archives South Australia: Series 32

Worthy is the Lamb!

Commentary by Ruth Sheehy

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This Eucharistic Window, inspired by the Lamb from the Revelation 5, symbolizes the crucified and risen Christ as the Paschal Mystery celebrated in the Eucharist. Christ, depicted as the Apocalyptic Lamb, is the vulnerable God who suffers with humanity, but also epitomizes the hope and joy of resurrection.

Richard King, drawing on Revelation 5:6–10, states that:

The central theme of this design is the Apocalyptic Lamb shown standing on the Book of the Seven Seals with the ‘seven horns’ of light on his head. The Lamb was slain—wound in breast—but for us the blood is not wasted, but is caught up in the chalice for our salvation. The lamb rose again and so bears the banner of the Resurrection. The seven flames represent the lamps seen in the beatific vision and are symbolic of our means of Grace. Below are the Chalice and Host and the wheat and grapes. (Sheehy 2020: 333)

The style of this window, blending symbolic, expressive colours with contrasts of light and darkness, is conveyed by cubist-abstract forms. The large red cross behind the white Apocalyptic Lamb, recalls the Passion as the condition of the resurrection hope that King so profoundly affirms. This is further indicated by the blood flowing from the wound in the breast of the Lamb into the chalice, signifying the Eucharist. The blue background with some white, showing the Alpha and Omega, indicates Christ as the beginning and the end, while the eyes—signifying angelic hosts—evoke heaven and transcendence.

The iconography of this stained-glass window reflects Revelation 5:12–13:

Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honour and glory and blessing!

All these aspects are revealed by the colour, sacramental symbolism, and cosmic vision of this window.

 

References

King, Richard. N.d. ‘Unpublished explanatory notes concerning the sanctuary windows in the chapel, Sisters of Saint Joseph CentreWest Region’, Archives South Australia: Series 32

Sheehy, Ruth. 2020. The Life and Work of Richard King: Religion, Nationalism and Modernism, Reimagining Ireland Series (Oxford: Peter Lang)

See full exhibition for Revelation 5

Revelation 5

Revised Standard Version

5 And I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals; 2and I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” 3And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, 4and I wept much that no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. 5Then one of the elders said to me, “Weep not; lo, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.”

6 And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders, I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth; 7and he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. 8And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and with golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints; 9and they sang a new song, saying,

“Worthy art thou to take the scroll and to open its seals,

for thou wast slain and by thy blood didst ransom men for God

from every tribe and tongue and people and nation,

10and hast made them a kingdom and priests to our God,

and they shall reign on earth.”

11Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, 12saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” 13And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all therein, saying, “To him who sits upon the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might for ever and ever!” 14And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.

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