Wisdom Window, 1901 by John La Farge

Back to Home   Back to Art Work

The east window, La Farge's largest was commissioned by botanist Oakes Ames (1874-1950) and his cousin, the Broadway play producer, Winthrop Ames (1870-1934) in memory of their grandfather, Congressman Oakes Ames (1804-1873), and their fathers, Governor Oliver Ames (1831-1895) and Oakes Angier Ames (1819-1899). Here La Farge has enthroned the "Figure of Wisdom," a women who he based on a Madonna, making her human with her halo becoming the back of her chair. The verse from Proverbs 3:15-17 surrounds the window. "Wisdom is more precious than rubies and all the things that thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand and in her left riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness and all her paths are peace." The elderly gentleman, an allegorical figure for "Length of days" is from a Donatello relief and the young warrior, an allegory of "riches and honor" is from a Mantegna painting. The underside of the warrior's tunic is exposed in a rich blue. "Only my grandfather would have thought of that," remarked Henri La Farge as he photographed the window in 1981. This window was restored by Victor Rothman in 1998.