‘Decorating the heavens’: a new Leonard French window sheds light on his masterpiece
A new stained-glass window at the National Gallery of Victoria offers clues to one of Australia’s most familiar yet mysterious artworks.
In the 1960s, artist Leonard French created a monumental stained-glass ceiling for the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) in Melbourne, which remains a celebrated masterpiece. Now, the NGV has installed a new Leonard French window at its Ian Potter Centre in Federation Square, providing visitors with a fresh perspective on the artist's work.
The new window was once part of a private home commissioned by Gordon Barton, an influential businessman and entrepreneur, in Sydney during the 1960s. The window depicts a joyful upward movement of turtles, fish, and birds against a vibrant sky, symbolizing renewal and regeneration. Conservation efforts have revealed French's original composition, allowing viewers to appreciate the luminosity of the glass and the intricate imagery more fully.
The Barton window's placement at the NGV provides a unique opportunity for audiences to engage with French's visual world and better understand the symbolism behind his iconic ceiling.
Written by urgent.news from The Conversation AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
